Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones fired by Yemen's Houthis

The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Saturday that it intercepted two ballistic missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles fired by Iran-backed Houthi forces.

According to the coalition, the ballistic missiles were directed at Khamis Mushait while the drones were headed toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The statement added that the coalition continues to track missile and drone threats toward the kingdom but offered no additional operational details.

Saudi civil defence issued public warnings late last night for Khamis Mushait and Abha; no alert was issued for Riyadh, the coalition said.

Escalation and wider effects

The Houthi movement controls the most populated areas and much of northern Yemen and has stepped up strikes on Saudi territory after declaring a maritime blockade in July and beginning attacks on Saudi ships in the Red Sea.

Those operations have targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and commercial shipping, heightening pressure on global oil supplies amid what the coalition characterised as the war between the US and Israel against Iran.

Analysts and regional officials say the Houthi campaign threatens an important alternative export corridor from the Persian Gulf through the Red Sea while traffic through the Strait remains largely blocked.

Photo: press material from the event