Riyadh, 24 October. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh; its spokesman announced this.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki announced this on X but did not say where the missile was launched from or what it was aimed at. No damage or casualties were reported.
The strike came amid escalating hostilities: in recent days the Houthis have attacked Saudi airports and energy facilities. Earlier in the week the US ordered diplomats' families and non-essential staff to leave the embassy in Riyadh and the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
What it means: The Houthis keep firing at Saudi Arabia, now at its capital. This attack was repelled by air defences.
Who benefits: The Houthis, who show they can reach Riyadh. Saudi Arabia, which shows its air defences work.
Background: The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis in Yemen on the side of the government since 2015; the Houthis have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014.
List of sources used: Anadolu
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
