A dawn intercept over Riyadh, and the first air-raid alerts since July
The Saudi-led coalition said Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn and that air defences stopped it, Al Jazeera reported, with no dead or wounded announced. The BBC wrote that black smoke was seen at fuel tanks near the capital's airport, that flights were disrupted, and that air-raid alerts sounded for the first time since the July Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia. The Financial Times said Saudi authorities issued warnings in the capital as a missile and drone assault continued.
Geopolitics··Morning
The coalition's dawn claim
Al Jazeera reported that coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Maliki wrote that Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn and that it was intercepted and destroyed. He added that attempts to hit civilians and civilian infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu were also thwarted. Al Jazeera, citing AFP and AP, reported that at least one explosion was heard in Riyadh on Saturday and that residents near the airport saw a large plume of black smoke later in the morning. Saudi authorities reported no casualties or damage. The BBC separately wrote that Saudi authorities said they intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at the capital.[1], [2]
Airport smoke, disrupted flights, a July first
Patrick Jackson at the BBC wrote that Yemen's Houthis said they fired drones and ballistic missiles at Riyadh and Red Sea energy sites, while Saudi authorities said they intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at the capital. Black smoke was seen at fuel tanks near Riyadh's international airport and flights were disrupted. Air-raid alerts sounded in the capital for the first time since the July Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia. The US State Department urged Americans in the region to reconsider travel. The Financial Times also said Saudi authorities issued warnings in the capital.[2], [3]
The alert, from a blocked Financial Times page
The Financial Times said Saudi authorities issued warnings in the capital for the first time since Yemeni rebels reignited conflict, as a missile and drone assault continued. Al Jazeera's coalition report also announced no dead or wounded.[3], [1]
