Saudi Arabia reported on September 19 that Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, attempted to attack the capital Riyadh with a ballistic missile. This marks the first time Riyadh has been directly targeted since the escalation of conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis over the Iran War.
According to reports from AFP and others, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh early that morning. The coalition emphasized that the Houthis also attempted to attack civilians and civilian infrastructure in the regions of Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu, but these efforts were thwarted by Saudi air defense systems. However, the coalition's announcement came a significant time after the attacks occurred.
Reports indicated that explosions were heard in Riyadh until the morning, and smoke was seen rising near King Khalid International Airport. Foreign media also reported a fire at a fuel tank belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco, prompting firefighters to respond. No specific reports of casualties or property damage have been confirmed.
Saudi civil defense authorities issued and later lifted air raid alerts for Riyadh and several other areas from the previous night into the morning. This was the first air raid alert issued for Riyadh since the escalation of conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The Houthis acknowledged conducting military operations targeting Saudi Arabia. Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated in a statement that they carried out two military operations against Saudi Arabia using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Saree claimed, "The first operation targeted sensitive facilities in Riyadh, while the second operation aimed at Aramco facilities in Yanbu," adding that they would continue to target Saudi military capabilities until the blockade of Yemen is lifted.
This attack comes as the Houthis have been expanding their offensive within Yemen. Recently, they captured the key port of Mocha in western Yemen and have extended their influence to Perim Island, located at the entrance of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
As the Houthis intensify their attacks on Saudi Arabia, the likelihood of a renewed escalation in the Yemeni civil war, which has remained relatively quiet since a ceasefire in 2022, is increasing. Concerns are growing that clashes between Iran and Saudi Arabia could spill over into the Yemeni front, heightening security risks in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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