Saudi-led coalition says defences intercept Houthi missile fired at Riyadh
Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels at Riyadh, marking a new escalation in regional tensions. While no casualties were reported, the attack targeted civilian infrastructure, including an airport and oil facilities.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the persistent security risks in the Middle East and the potential for regional conflict to disrupt critical energy infrastructure and civilian safety.
This was the first time an alert was sounded in Riyadh since an escalation between the Houthis in Yemen and the Saudis.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 19, 2026 [Stringer/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and AP Published On 19 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026 | Updated: an hour ago Updated: an hour ago Saudi-led coalition forces fighting Yemen’s Houthis have said that the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn before it was intercepted and destroyed.
“The Houthis also attempted to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu,” coalition forces spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki wrote on X on Saturday, adding that the attacks were thwarted by the Gulf monarchy’s air defences.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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