CAIRO, October 14: Residents in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, reported hearing fresh explosions on Wednesday amid escalating tensions between the Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
The Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the latest incident.
The Houthis had not issued an immediate response. The rebels have repeatedly targeted airports, military installations and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia amid the widening regional conflict.
Meanwhile, the Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that two people were killed in attacks in Yemen on Tuesday, blaming Saudi Arabia for the strikes.
Air raid alerts issued in Riyadh and Kharj
Residents, speaking on condition of anonymity for their safety, reported the latest explosions. One resident was from northern Riyadh, where King Khalid International Airport is located.
Saudi Civil Defence issued air raid alerts for Riyadh and Kharj province, southeast of the capital. Kharj is home to the state-owned Military Industries Corporation and Prince Sultan Air Base.
The latest reports have heightened concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure. Airlines have reportedly suspended some operations and moved aircraft away from potential targets amid warnings of further attacks.
On Tuesday, a fire broke out in an administrative building at a facility operated by Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil companies.
The escalation has also raised questions about whether US President Donald Trump will expand American involvement in the conflict. Trump has said he is evaluating the possibility of the United States joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia faces growing missile and drone threats
The latest attacks have highlighted the challenges Saudi Arabia faces in intercepting missiles and drones across its vast territory. Regional officials have reportedly expressed concern over dwindling supplies of missile interceptors and called for greater military support from allies, including the United States.
Saudi Arabia, a major purchaser of American weapons, is attempting to defend a territory roughly three times the size of Texas against repeated attacks.
The Houthis possess a sizeable arsenal capable of striking targets more than 1,600 kilometres away, with some warheads reportedly capable of changing direction during flight.
Even successful interceptions can pose risks to civilians. Saudi Civil Defence said debris from two intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles fell in residential areas of Riyadh overnight, injuring four people, including a child, and damaging 15 homes.
Saudi-led coalition intensifies strikes in Yemen
Saudi Arabia has also stepped up airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in support of the country’s internationally recognised government.
The latest phase of fighting began this year after the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for a strike on an airport in rebel-held Sanaa. The incident revived tensions over the Saudi blockade of Houthi-controlled areas, prompting the rebels to announce their own blockade against the kingdom.
The Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive around a week and a half ago.
The Houthi-run Health Ministry said a Saudi airstrike on Tuesday hit a state oil company facility in the Ras Isa port area of Hodeida province, killing two people and injuring two others. The coalition also reportedly struck an oil facility in Sanaa.
Ahmed Nagi, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, said attacks on fuel storage facilities in Houthi-controlled territory marked a new phase in the Saudi-led campaign. He noted that a prolonged war of attrition could significantly weaken the rebels’ military capabilities.
“The Houthis are betting on pressure, while the Saudis are betting on time,” Nagi said, adding that the rebels were targeting critical Saudi infrastructure to increase the cost of continued military intervention and support for Yemen’s government.
