Saudi Arabia claims interception while reports cite airport delays following the first attack on the capital since fighting intensified.
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Houthi forces targeted the Saudi capital with a ballistic missile on Saturday, striking a fuel depot at Riyadh airport and causing flight delays per BBC reports. The Saudi-led coalition claimed its defenses intercepted the projectile, though the reported impact on the airport suggests the attack disrupted operations.
This incident marks the first air raid alert in Riyadh since a significant escalation in fighting between the Saudi coalition and Yemen. Saudi Arabia confirmed the attempted attack, characterizing the Houthi forces as Tehran-backed rebels.
CBC News described the escalation as opening a new front in the "Iran war," a framing that aligns with Saudi narratives regarding regional influence. The attack underscores the ongoing volatility of the conflict, which has seen repeated cross-border hostilities.
Iran International reports that Iranian officials are seeking an end to the Saudi-Yemen war. Iran's security chief has reportedly laid out terms for a ceasefire and is currently awaiting a response from Donald Trump.
Sources: 1. BBC World: Houthis say they targeted Saudi capital with ballistic missiles — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwly5d9v7r43o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss (src1) 2. BBC Middle East: Houthis say they targeted Saudi capital with ballistic missiles — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwly5d9v7r43o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss (src2) 3.