Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles and several drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia, the Saudi-led coalition said early Sunday, after emergency alerts warned residents in Riyadh and the southern city of Khamis Mushayt of hostile aerial threats.

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said two ballistic missiles fired towards Khamis Mushayt were intercepted and destroyed. Minutes later, coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al-Maliki announced that a drone had been intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh region.

The announcements followed mobile phone alerts issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense at around 1:30am local time. The warning was lifted a few minutes later.

On Saturday, Al-Maliki said coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and southern regions of the Kingdom in the preceding hours. He also announced the destruction of two ballistic missile launchers in Yemen’s Saada governorate.

Civil Defense subsequently confirmed that the danger had passed in Khamis Mushayt and the nearby city of Abha. Residents were urged to follow official instructions and avoid gathering or filming.

The latest incidents come amid renewed hostilities after Yemen’s conflict reignited in July following 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 renewed attacks have 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.

Regional support for Saudi Arabia has also grown. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Saturday that Cairo was prepared to take “any measure” necessary to help protect the Kingdom if requested, stressing that Egypt’s role would be defensive.

Meanwhile, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias disclosed details of Greece’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s air defences. In a post on X on Saturday, he shared a photograph of his visit to Greek Patriot missile batteries deployed in Yanbu, where he met members of the Hellenic force stationed there.

Dendias said the contingent was helping defend Saudi Arabia by protecting energy facilities and strategic infrastructure. The visit marked the first public acknowledgement of the Greek deployment’s role in protecting Yanbu, a major oil and industrial hub on the Kingdom’s western coast, from hostile aerial threats.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthis’ recent escalation, an allegation Tehran denies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s support for a political solution on Saturday and renewed an offer to mediate.

However, Yemen’s government rejected the proposal, arguing that Iran was a party to the conflict rather than a neutral intermediary.

Amid the attacks, Saudi-led coalition air strikes have continued against Houthi facilities and installations in an effort to prevent the militia from threatening areas of Yemen under government control, Saudi Arabia and international shipping.

Source: Arab News