WorldPosted at: Oct 18 2026 6:51PM


Saudi Arabia intercepts Ballistic Missiles, drones amid escalating Houthi attacks

Riyadh, Oct 18 (UNI) Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles and several drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia, Saudi-led coalition officials said on Sunday, as emergency alerts warned residents in Riyadh and the southern city of Khamis Mushayt of hostile aerial threats.
The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said two ballistic missiles fired towards Khamis Mushayt were intercepted and destroyed early on Sunday. Minutes later, coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki announced that a drone had also been intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh region.
The interceptions followed mobile phone alerts issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense at around 1:30 am local time, warning residents of a “hostile aerial threat”. The alert was lifted a few minutes later.
Later in the day, Civil Defense issued further warnings for Najran city and As Sulayyil governorate before lifting them. It also cautioned the public against recording or sharing footage and unofficial information relating to missile and drone interceptions or impact sites, warning that such activity could invite legal action.
The latest incidents followed Al-Maliki’s announcement on Saturday that coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and southern parts of the kingdom. He also said two ballistic missile launchers had been destroyed in Yemen’s Saada governorate.
Civil Defense subsequently announced that the danger has passed in Khamis Mushayt and the nearby city of Abha, while urging residents to follow official instructions and avoid gathering at affected sites or filming the incidents.
The renewed attacks come amid an escalation in the Yemen conflict, which reignited in July after years of relative calm. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting oil facilities, transport infrastructure and other strategic sites. Last week, an attack on Riyadh’s airport killed 13 people, according to previous reports.
The deteriorating security situation has prompted precautionary measures across the kingdom. The Education Ministry has extended remote learning in Riyadh and neighbouring Diriyah, while several foreign embassies have advised their citizens to avoid Saudi airports or postpone travel.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that Cairo is prepared to take “any measure” necessary to help protect Saudi Arabia if requested, while stressing that Egypt’s role would be defensive.
Moreover, Greece has provided additional support to Saudi Arabia’s air defence network. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said in a post on X on Saturday that he had visited Greek Patriot missile batteries deployed in Yanbu and met members of the Hellenic force stationed there.
Dendias said the contingent was helping protect Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities and strategic infrastructure. The visit marked a public acknowledgement of the Greek deployment’s role in supporting the defence of Yanbu, a major oil and industrial hub on the kingdom’s western coast.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthis’ recent escalation, a charge Tehran denies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s support for a political solution on Saturday and renewed an offer to mediate in the conflict.
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