Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile on Thursday, according to local authorities. The missile was detected and neutralized before it could strike a military or civilian target. Emergency alerts were issued across the kingdom as the missile flew over the capital, Riyadh. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi group.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have prompted strong reactions from international leaders. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the attacks, calling for increased regional security cooperation. The attacks are part of a broader conflict involving Yemen, where the Houthi rebels are fighting against the government backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
In a separate development, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that four oil tankers were damaged by naval mines after they used "unauthorized" routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a critical shipping route, has seen increased tensions as both sides accuse each other of escalating hostilities. The Houthi group has previously launched attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, leading to temporary disruptions in regional energy supplies.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant casualties. Yemen’s military reported that 239 Houthi fighters were killed in 759 operations conducted in the past week. The fighting continues in various fronts, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements and escalating violence. The situation remains volatile, with international efforts to mediate the conflict facing challenges.
