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Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi missiles and drones over Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition said Sunday it intercepted Houthi missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh, Khamis Mushait and the south as Riyadh airport planned to reopen two terminals, Al Jazeera, CNBC and The National reported.
- The National is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones as fighting with Houthis rages”
- Our desk filed its story
- No longer breaking. Still developing
- CNBC is now reporting this
- Al Jazeera is now reporting this
Saudi Arabia’s coalition in Yemen said Sunday that air defenses intercepted Houthi missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh, the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait and the kingdom’s south, as two terminals at Riyadh’s main airport were due to reopen1,2,3.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward the capital that morning, a drone in the Riyadh region and a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait1,3.
The Saudi Press Agency, as cited by CNBC, quoted al-Maliki as saying two drones and a ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed2.
The coalition later said it intercepted 10 ballistic missiles fired toward southern Saudi Arabia1,2,3.
Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings for Abha and Khamis Mushait, then said the danger had passed and urged residents to follow safety instructions3.
King Khalid International Airport said international flights would resume from Terminal 2 on Sunday and Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights, after operations halted Oct. 10 following an attack that killed 13 people and wounded more than 3001,2,3.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the airport remained “unsafe” and a “military target,” and warned airlines, staff and travelers against using it1,3.
The Houthis said Saturday they targeted three Saudi airports, energy sites, a pipeline and an airbase1. In a Telegram post cited by CNBC, they said they carried out seven operations with ballistic missiles and drones, including King Khalid airport and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu; Aramco did not immediately respond to CNBC2.
The Houthis denied targeting Mecca and Medina after Saudi civil defence said it responded Saturday to falling debris in those regions following intercepts of two missiles1. The coalition said Saturday intercepts left debris in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh3.
Al Jazeera reported fighting around Taiz, Houthi movement on Jabal Sabr, a U.N. warning that time was running out to aid about 800,000 people in the city, and Yemeni government claims of more than 700 operations on Saturday1.
The National said the United States on Saturday warned citizens against travel to Saudi Arabia and several other countries, citing drone and missile risk from Iran and Iran-backed Houthis, among other threats3.
CNBC said concerns about the fighting and possible further U.S. and Israeli action involving Iran helped push Brent crude to a six-month high Friday, closing at $116.72 a barrel2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 sourcesFirst reported by
The National
Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones as fighting with Houthis rages
Sunday intercepts over Riyadh and the south, airport reopening, Houthi threat, and Yemen fighting around Taiz.
Coalition spokesman said a ballistic missile and a drone toward Riyadh, a cruise missile at Khamis Mushait and 10 southern ballistic missiles were intercepted as fighting around Taiz continued.
Leaves out Oil-price move and U.S. travel advisory details reported by other outlets.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted missiles and drones from Iran-backed Houthis
Intercept counts from SPA, Houthi claimed targets including Aramco in Yanbu, and oil-market reaction to wider Middle East risk.
CNBC cited the Saudi Press Agency on intercepts toward Riyadh, Khamis Mushait and the south, Houthi claims of strikes on airports and Aramco sites, and a Friday oil rally.
Leaves out Taiz fighting and Civil Defence warnings in Abha and Khamis Mushait.
Saudi Arabia intercepts barrage of Houthi missiles and drones
Civil Defence alerts, Saturday debris in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh, and U.S. travel advisories.
The National reported Sunday intercepts, Civil Defence warnings in the southwest, Saturday debris after intercepts, airport reopening and a U.S. travel warning.
Leaves out Oil prices and Houthi claimed Aramco/Yanbu targets in the CNBC account.
Where they agree
- The Saudi-led coalition said Sunday it intercepted Houthi missiles and at least one drone aimed at Riyadh, a cruise missile toward Khamis Mushait, and 10 ballistic missiles toward southern Saudi Arabia.
- King Khalid International Airport planned to resume two terminals Sunday after an Oct. 10 attack that killed 13 and wounded more than 300.
- Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the airport remained a military target.
Where they differ
Number of drones and missiles intercepted toward Riyadh
Houthi claimed targets