Houthi militants claim attacks on the capital of Saudi Arabia and Saudi energy facilities

Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen say they launched drone and ballistic and cruise missile attacks on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as well as energy facilities on the Red Sea coast. The attacks reportedly took place on Saturday in response to Saudi raids on the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.

Saudi authorities announced that they had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh, without confirming the other attacks or the existence of any casualties. Air raid alerts were activated in the capital for the first time since the escalation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in July.

A column of black smoke was observed near fuel tanks close to Riyadh International Airport, and flights were temporarily suspended.

The Saudi-led coalition said that air defenses had repelled attempted attacks on cities including Bish, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea claimed that targets in Riyadh and facilities belonging to the Aramco oil company in Yanbu had been targeted. He accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out 300 air raids in Yemen over the past week.

The conflict is taking place against the backdrop of the civil war between the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by Riyadh.