Escalating Conflict: Houthi Missiles Hit Riyadh Airport, Saudi Forces Intercept

The Yemeni Houthi faction announced Monday that it launched a ballistic missile aimed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and that the projectile successfully hit its intended site. The group also claimed a drone attack on the King Khalid Air Base located in Khamis Mushait.

Saudi‑led coalition forces disputed the claim, saying their air‑defence network tracked the missile and destroyed it while still airborne. Despite the interception, nearby residents reported hearing multiple explosions, and authorities issued real‑time alerts through mobile notification services.

These attacks come after a spate of recent operations targeting the Saudi capital’s aviation infrastructure. A Sunday strike killed a Pakistani citizen and injured eleven others, prompting the Civil Aviation Authority to halt all flights at the airport. A prior Saturday assault left twelve civilians dead and more than 300 injured.

The Houthis further asserted that Saudi Arabia conducted 119 air strikes on Houthi‑controlled zones within the last twenty‑four hours, resulting in at least nine deaths and seven injuries in the Al‑Jawf province. Yemeni government officials reported that the army has launched 1,879 attacks on Houthi positions, with an estimated 950 fighters either killed or forced out of combat.

Amid the mounting pressure, Iran’s foreign ministry indicated that Tehran is prepared to play a facilitating role in initiating talks between the Saudi government and the Houthi leadership, reiterating earlier statements by Iran’s foreign minister about providing all possible assistance for a dialogue.