Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike targeting Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry in Riyadh, although Saudi authorities have not confirmed the alleged attack on the ministry.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group launched a ballistic missile at the ministry in the Saudi capital, claiming it directly hit the target. AFP correspondents also reported hearing explosions in Riyadh earlier on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities said their air defence systems intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed rebels. Officials reported that three Houthi missiles aimed at the country’s eastern region were destroyed.
Saree further claimed that the Houthis targeted two military transport aircraft using ballistic missiles. According to him, one target was at Najran airport, while the other was at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
Earlier, Saudi authorities had issued brief danger alerts for several areas in the country’s south, including Najran and Khamis Mushait.
The reported incidents come amid renewed Houthi missile activity targeting Saudi territory. However, the claim of a direct strike on the Defence Ministry in Riyadh remains unconfirmed by Saudi officials.
