Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted missiles, drones over Riyadh and Red Sea
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Friday it had intercepted and destroyed a series of missiles and drones fired at Saudi Arabia, in the latest escalation of Houthi attacks on the kingdom.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said a ballistic missile bound for the Red Sea city of Yanbu was intercepted. In separate statements, he said the coalition had downed three drones over the southern region and the Riyadh region, along with two cruise missiles over the Red Sea.
Saudi coalition intercepts missiles amid widening campaign
The announcements cap a week of intensifying strikes. A day earlier, Al-Malki condemned Houthi attacks on civilian airports and infrastructure, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. He warned that the strikes threatened civilian lives, passenger safety and the security of the kingdom’s holy sites, and accused the Houthis of targeting Makkah and Madinah as well.
On Thursday, the coalition said it had intercepted a cruise missile over the Medina region. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied that the group had carried out any attacks on Saudi territory that day. A day before that, the coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh, where falling debris injured one person and caused minor property damage.
The Houthis have also struck inside Yemen. On Thursday, they launched a missile attack on the presidential palace in Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, killing at least four people and injuring ten, according to military sources.
UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed a presidential statement by the United Nations Security Council condemning the continued and escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The statement condemned strikes on civilians, airports and energy infrastructure, as well as threats to navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
The Saudi foreign ministry stressed the importance of fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and subsequent resolutions, and backed calls for practical cooperation to stop the Houthis obtaining weapons and other support. The kingdom also reaffirmed its right under international law to take all necessary measures to defend its security.
Why it matters for Pakistan
The escalation has direct consequences for Pakistanis. PIA temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh last week, citing the Middle East conflict, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers including Umrah pilgrims and workers. Earlier strikes killed a Saudi pilot and hit Riyadh airport, while separate attacks targeted airports in Abha and Riyadh.
Pakistan has positioned itself firmly behind Riyadh. The foreign ministry recently spelled out the defensive nature of the Makkah alliance’s forces facing the Houthis, and Pakistan joined the rapid deployment of the Makkah pact’s joint force to Riyadh earlier this month.
France has also begun deploying military assets to Saudi Arabia to help protect critical oil infrastructure, after President Emmanuel Macron announced last month that Paris would send troops and defence systems to secure Yanbu, a major energy hub on the Red Sea.
What happens next
The coalition has warned civilians to stay clear of Houthi military sites and says operations against launch capabilities will continue. With the UN Security Council now formally condemning the attacks and Western powers moving air defences into the kingdom, the confrontation looks set to intensify before any return to diplomacy.
*Source: WE News English*
Frequently asked questions
What did the Saudi-led coalition intercept on Friday?
A ballistic missile bound for Yanbu, three drones over the southern and Riyadh regions, and two cruise missiles over the Red Sea, according to coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al-Malki.
How has the UN responded to the Houthi attacks?
UN Security Council members issued a presidential statement condemning the continued and escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on airports and energy infrastructure.
Are PIA flights to Riyadh affected?
PIA temporarily suspended its Riyadh operations last week because of the conflict. Passengers should check with the airline before travelling.
