A Saudi-led coalition said it shot down two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as loud explosions were heard across the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to Seznam Zprávy. Saudi civil defense issued a warning for the Riyadh area shortly before the blasts, then rescinded it, saying the danger had passed, Novinky reported. The Houthis have not commented on the incident.
The missile interceptions came days after airstrikes near Yemen’s capital Sanaa killed at least 22 people on Saturday, attacks the Houthis blamed on Riyadh. The strikes mark an escalation in a conflict that has simmered since a 2022 ceasefire.
Explosions Damage Aramco Building in Riyadh
According to the Reuters news agency, cited by Seznam Zprávy, strong explosions were audible in Riyadh. AFP, also cited by Seznam Zprávy, reported that the attacks damaged a building belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco. Saudi civil defense warned residents of the Riyadh area moments before the explosions and later withdrew the alert after determining the threat had passed.
At Least 22 Killed in Airstrikes Near Sanaa
On Saturday, air strikes near Sanaa killed at least 22 people, Novinky reported. The Houthis accused Riyadh of carrying out the attacks. The strikes follow a cycle of retaliation that intensified in July, when forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government bombed Sanaa’s international airport in response to the arrival of an Iranian plane, after which the Houthis began a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.
A Decade of War and a Fragile Ceasefire
Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s civil war more than ten years ago, leading a coalition against the Houthis. The war has claimed more than 150,000 lives, and tens of thousands more have died from hunger and cholera epidemics, according to Novinky. A ceasefire in 2022 quieted the conflict, but tensions have risen again in recent months as Houthi air strikes have hit several airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to strike Houthi positions in return.
Questions Readers Are Asking About the Riyadh Missile Attacks
Who claimed responsibility for the missile attack on Riyadh?
The Saudi-led coalition said the two ballistic missiles were fired by the Houthi rebel movement, according to Seznam Zprávy. The Houthis have not yet issued a statement on the incident.
What damage did the explosions cause in Riyadh?
AFP reported that the attacks damaged a building of Saudi state oil company Aramco, according to Seznam Zprávy. Civil defense warned the Riyadh area before the blasts and later said the danger had passed.
How does this connect to the strikes near Sanaa?
The Riyadh explosions followed Saturday airstrikes near Sanaa that killed at least 22 people, which the Houthis blamed on Riyadh, Novinky reported. The escalation traces to July, when government forces bombed Sanaa airport and the Houthis responded with a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.