Saudi Arabia intercepted two drones and a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels

The Saudi-led military coalition announced Saturday that it had intercepted two drones launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen toward the Riyadh region, as well as a ballistic missile heading toward the city of Khamis Mushait in the southwestern part of the kingdom.

According to the coalition’s spokesman, air defense systems detected and destroyed the drones before they reached their destination. He said on the X platform that the attacks were launched by the Houthi militia, a group backed by Iran.

A ballistic missile was intercepted while heading toward Khamis Mushait, a city that hosts a major Saudi air base. Authorities reported no casualties or damage resulting from the attacks.

Houthi rebels confirmed that they had targeted Saudi Arabia. Hezam Alasad, a member of the movement’s political bureau, said the operation represented only a small-scale rehearsal for a possible major escalation. The incident highlights persistent tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni group, amid the regional conflict and Iranian support for the rebels.