Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted 2 Houthi ballistic missiles headed for southwestern Saudi Arabia

By Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Saudi-led coalition said early Sunday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki announced the interceptions in a statement on US social media platform X.

Shortly before the announcement, Saudi Civil Defense issued "potential danger" alerts in the capital Riyadh and the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait through its national early warning system.

The agency later announced that the danger had passed.

Earlier Saturday, al-Maliki said coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed four drones over several hours in the Riyadh region, Eastern Province and southern Saudi Arabia.

The coalition also released footage it claimed showed strikes destroying two ballistic missile launchers in Saada, northern Yemen, after they had been used to fire missiles toward Saudi Arabia.

The developments came amid continued military escalation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi group since July, including attacks targeting civilian aviation facilities and energy infrastructure in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition since March 2015 in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and several other provinces since September 2014.