Saudi coalition says it downed two Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition said on Sunday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh. Civil Defence had issued early warning alerts in Riyadh and parts of the Eastern Province.
- Coalition says two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh were destroyed on Sunday
- Hours earlier it reported intercepting another missile fired toward the Eastern Province
- Civil Defence alerts covered Riyadh, Buqayq and Al Ahsa; danger later declared over in Buqayq, Al Ahsa and Dammam
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Sunday that its air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Riyadh, according to Anadolu Agency.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki announced it on X. He said: "Air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Riyadh."
The coalition had reported some hours earlier that it intercepted another ballistic missile fired by the Houthis toward the kingdom's Eastern Province. Anadolu described the events as part of continued military escalation between the coalition and the Houthis, who it said have launched repeated missile and drone attacks toward Saudi territory.
Gulf News reported that Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence issued early warning alerts through the National Early Warning Platform. They warned of potential danger in Riyadh, Buqayq Governorate and Al Ahsa Governorate. Civil Defence later announced that the danger had passed in Buqayq, Al Ahsa and Dammam.
Civil Defence told residents to stay calm, follow official instructions and move at once to the nearest safe place, such as inside a building or an interior room away from windows. It asked them to stay indoors until the danger had passed and to keep away from open areas, windows, glass, balconies and rooftops.
People outdoors were advised to enter the nearest building or take cover behind a solid barrier. Drivers were told to pull over safely, away from bridges and high-rise buildings. Residents were also asked to avoid crowds and dangerous locations.
Civil Defence asked people not to film or take photographs. It warned that filming, publishing or sharing information about efforts to intercept missiles and drones, or about impact sites, could expose individuals to legal liability.
Residents who notice danger should call 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 998 in other regions. They were urged to follow updates through official channels.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 5 November that the coalition said its air defence destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward the Medina region. It also reported on 4 November that an Indian national hurt in the 10 October attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport had died.
Why it matters
Saudi Arabia hosts many Pakistani workers, so attacks on the Kingdom affect Gulf jobs and travel. Pakistanis living in Riyadh and the Eastern Province are covered by the Civil Defence instructions, including the emergency numbers and the warning about filming and sharing footage. Families in Pakistan with relatives in these areas may be following the alerts closely.
