Houthis say they targeted Riyadh airport as coalition reports intercepting 10 missiles
The Houthi group in Yemen said on Sunday that it fired ballistic missiles at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and two military sites in southern Saudi Arabia, including an air base in Khamis Mushait and a naval base in Jazan. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted 10 missiles launched toward the south of the kingdom. The Houthis accused Riyadh of carrying out 56 air and missile strikes on Yemen within 24 hours, while Yemen's information ministry said the group hit a displaced-persons camp near Aden with three missiles. None of the claims has been independently verified.
Why it matters
The exchange points to a direct escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia that could revive tension along the kingdom's southern border. A reported attack on a major airport also raises concerns about air travel safety and civilians on both sides.
Background
The Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, is an armed Yemeni movement. The Saudi-led coalition is a party to the conflict in Yemen. The latest reports come amid an exchange of accusations between the two sides over attacks on each other.
Key points
- According to BBC Arabic, Ansar Allah said its attacks targeted the sites with "dozens of ballistic missiles".
- Sky News Arabia reported that the group announced 3 ballistic missile attacks, each aimed at one of the three locations named.
- Al Jazeera, citing Yemen's Information Ministry, said the camp was in the Ras Imran area west of Aden, which it described as the temporary capital.
- Al Jazeera's live coverage headline referred to an explosion in Aden, though the available excerpt gives no details about it.
- BBC Arabic reported that the escalation coincides with an announcement that the 2027 Dakar Rally will be moved out of Saudi Arabia.
How outlets covered it
BBC Arabic focused on the competing accounts: the Houthi claim of targeting the airport and two bases with "dozens of missiles", the coalition's statement that it intercepted ten missiles, and the Houthi accusation that Riyadh carried out 56 air and missile strikes. It also linked the escalation to the Dakar Rally relocation. In the excerpt available, Sky News Arabia covered only the Houthi account, citing 3 attacks and naming the three locations, without a coalition response. Al Jazeera gave more weight to the Yemeni side, citing the Information Ministry's claim that a displacement camp near Aden was hit by three missiles, and noted an explosion in the city. The available excerpts from Sky News Arabia and Al Jazeera do not mention the coalition's interception claim, and BBC Arabic's excerpt does not mention the camp incident.
How outlets headlined it
This is a brief summary. The full details and context are in the original coverage.
Read the full story at BBC عربيFollow the story
- Coalition says it intercepted two ballistic missiles and four drones over southern Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia reports one injured as debris from intercepted ballistic missile hits Asir
- Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed 3 Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait
- Saudi forces intercept Houthi missile aimed at Khamis Mushait as group claims strikes
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi ballistic missile
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi attacks; 4 hurt in Riyadh
- Houthis claim hit on Saudi warplane over Saada as missile aimed at Riyadh is intercepted
- Houthi missile attack on presidential palace in Aden leaves at least 4 dead
- Houthi attack on Aden's Maashiq palace leaves casualties as Riyadh accuses Tehran
- Saudi-led coalition reports intercepting drones and missiles as Tehran denies role
- Yemen says two Houthi missiles landed near passenger plane at Aden airport
- Russian embassy advises citizens to postpone travel to Saudi Arabia amid escalation with Houthis
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles
- Two Saudi pilots killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border
- Houthi attack on security camp in Yemen's Shabwa leaves dozens dead or wounded
- Houthis say they targeted Saudi defense ministry as coalition reports intercepting drones and missile
- UAE condemns Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport that killed two
- Saudi-led coalition says it downed 4 drones over Riyadh and Medina as Houthis claim attacks
- Houthis renew threat to Riyadh airport as flights set to resume Sunday
- Saudi Arabia says debris from intercepted Houthi missiles fell in Mecca and Medina regions
- Houthis say they targeted Riyadh airport as coalition reports intercepting 10 missiles
- Two injured in southern Saudi Arabia by debris from intercepted ballistic missiles
- Houthi missile hits Aden airport before group urges evacuation
In this story:Saudi Arabia
This summary was prepared with the help of AI based on the source's reporting and may contain errors. Spotted a mistake? Let us know
