Saudi Arabia said Yemen’s Houthi rebels attempted to strike Riyadh with a ballistic missile on Saturday, in the first reported attack on the capital since fighting with the Iran-backed group intensified as part of the wider Iran war.
The missile was intercepted, according to a Saudi statement. Residents reported hearing an explosion, while some later saw smoke near the airport. No casualties or damage were reported.
Saudi authorities also said attempted attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port of Yanbu, as well as Taif, Baysh and Farasan, had been thwarted. No further details were provided.
The Houthis claimed earlier that they had targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Aramco in Yanbu. The group said the attacks had caused “massive fires”, but provided no evidence. Aramco did not respond to a request for comment.
Turkey offers support under defence pact
Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, suggested Ankara could provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia under a recently signed defence agreement involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Asked whether the alliance could take military action against the Houthis, Mr Fidan said Turkey would “face no difficulty in meeting” any military needs.
“We observe very serious attacks on Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he told broadcaster NTV. “We have an alliance agreement in place and we stand by our word.”
The latest claims came as Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, said Tehran had sent Washington conditions for ending the war through Qatar and was awaiting Donald Trump’s response.
Mr Rezaei said Iran was seeking an end to fighting on all fronts, the release of assets seized from Iran and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. He added that Tehran wanted the conflict involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia to stop.
