Riyadh, September 20, 2026: Saudi Arabia said Yemen’s Houthi rebels attempted to target the capital Riyadh with a ballistic missile on Saturday, marking a new escalation in the fighting between the two sides.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, the missile was intercepted after being launched toward Riyadh. Residents in the capital reported hearing an explosion, while smoke was later seen near the airport. Saudi authorities reported no casualties or confirmed damage from the intercepted missile.
The coalition also said that attempted attacks targeted civilian infrastructure in several locations, including the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, as well as Taif, Baysh and the Farasan Islands. The coalition said the attacks were thwarted but did not provide further operational details.
The Houthis separately claimed that they had targeted what they described as sensitive locations in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Aramco in Yanbu. The group said the attacks caused fires, but those claims could not be independently verified. Aramco had not provided a response to the claims at the time of reporting.
The latest incident comes amid a broader increase in fighting involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ military spokesperson said the group had used a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the Houthi claims.
Tensions have also risen following a reported drone incident near Mecca earlier in the week. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted the drone, while the Houthis denied responsibility for the alleged attack.
The escalation is also creating concerns around regional security and shipping routes. Fighting has intensified inside Yemen, including along parts of the Red Sea coast, adding pressure around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important maritime route.
The latest developments come after several years of relative calm in the Yemen conflict. The renewed fighting is now raising concerns about its potential impact on regional security, energy infrastructure and international shipping.