Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles Fired at Riyadh as Attacks Escalate

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it intercepted missiles fired at Riyadh, hours after the kingdom reported an attack on its key East-West oil pipeline, as Houthi strikes on Saudi territory escalate.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said its air defences destroyed a ballistic missile and a cruise missile fired towards the capital, and a third ballistic missile over the country’s southern region.

FAKTA

• What happened: Two missiles fired at Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed, along with a third missile over southern Saudi Arabia.
• When: Early on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
• Missiles: A ballistic missile and a cruise missile aimed at Riyadh; a second ballistic missile aimed at the south.
• Who: The Saudi-led coalition said Yemen’s Houthis launched the missiles. The Houthis have not commented.
• Alerts: Civil defence warnings were issued in Riyadh, Abha and Khamis Mushait. The danger was later declared passed.
• Casualties: None reported.

Missiles fired at Riyadh: what happened

Coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Maliki said in posts on X that a ballistic missile and a cruise missile were intercepted and destroyed over Riyadh, while a second ballistic missile was downed over the south of the country. He blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the attacks.

Saudi Civil Defence had earlier issued an early-warning alert for the capital, and residents received text-message alerts telling them to take shelter from an “aerial threat”. Multiple explosions were heard in Riyadh, the AFP news agency reported. Civil defence later said the danger in the city had passed.

Warnings were also issued for the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait before being lifted. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and the Houthis did not immediately comment.

Escalation after pipeline attack

The missile fire came a day after Saudi Arabia said its East-West oil pipeline was attacked in the Medina region on Monday, causing a limited fire that was extinguished. The Energy Ministry said the attack caused no casualties and did not affect pipeline operations.

It was the latest in a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities. On Sunday, a missile hit the Aramco Tower in Riyadh’s financial district, causing limited damage and no injuries.

The coalition said on Monday it had destroyed three Houthi facilities in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, used to make ballistic missile components, solid fuel and electronic systems. The Houthis have stepped up strikes on Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities in recent weeks, while Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.