International
oi-Ashish Rana
Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that the Houthis is Yemen has attempted to strike Riyadh with a ballistic missile as west Asia tensions continue to rise. It was the first reported attempt to attack Saudi capital since the latest escalating war by the Tehran-backed rebels.
Saudi Arabia confirmed Houthis attempted a ballistic missile strike on Riyadh on Saturday, which was intercepted with no casualties; Houthi claims also targeted Yanbu and other Saudi areas amid rising West Asia tensions and intensified fighting in Yemen.
According to Saudi-led coalition, the missile was intercepted immediately after the attack began. One explosion also was heard in parts of Riyadh and some resident even reported smoke near the airport. However, authorities have reported no causalities or any property damage.
Houthi Attacks Reported In Several Saudi Areas
The Saudi-led coalition also said the Houthis attempted to target civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, where a key Saudi pipeline ends, as well as Taif, Baysh and Farasan. The attacks were reportedly thwarted, though the coalition did not provide further details.
The Houthis earlier claimed, without providing evidence, that they had targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, causing “massive fires”.
Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, did not respond to a request for comment. The growing conflict near another important global shipping corridor has also increased pressure on markets.
Houthis Claim Missile And Drone Attacks
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the rebels used cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones in the attacks.
He also alleged that Saudi Arabia had attempted to target the rebel-held city of Sanaa in neighbouring Yemen, but did not provide details.
The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims.
Tensions Rise After Mecca Drone Claim
The latest incident comes after several days of escalating attacks. On Thursday, Saudi civil defence said debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed a Yemeni resident of Saudi Arabia, marking the first reported civilian casualty.
A day earlier, Saudi Arabia said the Houthis had attempted to attack Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, with a drone that was intercepted. Saudi authorities called the security of the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad a “red line”. The Houthis strongly denied the accusation.
The United States, a close Saudi ally, has signalled that it currently has no fight with the Houthis.
Regional officials told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt for air defence support.
Fighting Intensifies Inside Yemen
Meanwhile, fighting has intensified inside Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government.
The rebels moved down the country’s Red Sea coast more than a week ago, seizing the key port city of Mokha and islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.
The move has improved their ability to monitor ships passing through the strategic waterway, although the Houthis have said they are targeting only Saudi vessels.
The renewed fighting in Yemen marks a return to a devastating civil war after four years of relative calm.
(With Inputs From PTI)
