Saudi-led coalition says defences intercept Houthi missile fired at Riyadh | Houthis News
Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh
Published: September 19, 2026
Saudi-led coalition forces have reported that Yemen’s Houthi movement launched a ballistic missile at Riyadh early Saturday morning. The missile was intercepted and destroyed before it could reach its target, according to a statement from coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Maliki.
In addition to the missile aimed at the capital, the Houthis attempted to attack civilian areas in Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu. Al-Maliki stated that these attacks were also thwarted by Saudi air defenses.
In response to the escalating threat, Saudi authorities issued a series of emergency alerts across the kingdom. On Saturday, residents in Riyadh reported hearing at least one explosion and observed a large plume of black smoke near the airport. Fortunately, officials confirmed that there were no reports of casualties or damage from these incidents.
This alert marks the first air raid warning in Riyadh since hostilities intensified with the Houthis earlier in July. Al-Maliki emphasized the coalition’s right to take appropriate actions to deter further attacks, in alignment with international humanitarian law.
Earlier reports indicated that Houthi forces claimed responsibility for targeting “sensitive” locations in Riyadh, including an Aramco oil facility in Yanbu. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the group’s attacks involved cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones.
Yasmeen al-Eryani, executive director for knowledge production at the Sana’a Center think tank, noted that the Houthis appear to be dictating the terms of escalation in the conflict. “Depending on the current situation, it seems that the Houthis are the ones in control,” she said.
In Yemen, Saudi-backed forces reported thwarting a Houthi infiltration attempt in the al-Fuliahan sector of southern Marib, resulting in the deaths of 12 Houthi fighters. The Saudi military also stated that 13 Yemeni soldiers lost their lives in recent clashes with Houthi forces in the southwestern provinces of Taiz and Lahj.
Renewed fighting has intensified in multiple regions of Yemen, including Marib, Taiz, Lahj, al-Jawf, and al-Bayda, following a period of relative calm after a truce was established in April 2022. Al-Eryani commented that military options for the coalition are limited due to the challenging mountainous terrain, complicating ground operations. “Without controlling the peaks that are parallel to the coast, you will not be able to control the coast,” she added.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for further confrontations.
