Houthis target Riyadh for third consecutive day
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Saudi Arabia said its forces intercepted three ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait as the kingdom faced renewed attacks for a third consecutive day.
Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said one missile was fired toward Riyadh and two toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia. All three were intercepted and destroyed.
Residents of Riyadh reported powerful explosions on Monday night shortly after receiving text alerts warning of an aerial threat. The Houthis said King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was their target. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree also said the group sent a drone toward a military airbase in Khamis Mushait.
The renewed attacks followed a strike on Saturday that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300 others. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and wounded 11. King Khalid International Airport remains closed, with Saudi authorities saying the shutdown would continue until Saturday. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi oil facilities.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud said the airport attacks had tested the kingdom’s resilience. “The events of recent weeks are serious,” he said. “Our response must be equally serious.” He added that the country’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan and investment must continue.
Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the failure of air defenses to prevent the attacks, according to regional officials cited by The Associated Press.
US President Donald Trump criticized the Houthis but did not indicate whether Washington would intervene. Meanwhile, Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti warned that any US involvement would trigger a swift response targeting American interests in the region.
The attacks have disrupted aviation services. Etihad Airways suspended flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, while Bahrain’s Gulf Air canceled Riyadh flights. Delta also delayed its planned direct service from Atlanta to Riyadh, scheduled for October 23.
Source: Al Jazeera (Adapted)
