Sahin Demir
20 October 2026•Update: 20 October 2026
The Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi group toward the Saudi capital Riyadh, after explosions were heard in the city following a security warning.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the ballistic missile was launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh and was shot down and destroyed.
Saudi Civil Defense earlier announced on US social media platform X that an alert had been issued in Riyadh over a potential danger.
“A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City to alert of a potential danger,” it said.
The warning was followed by reports of explosions in the capital.
Saudi Civil Defense later announced that the danger had passed in Riyadh, urging residents to continue following safety instructions and avoid gathering or filming.
The incident comes amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group, which has launched missile and drone attacks against the kingdom, while the Saudi-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis since March 2015. The group has controlled the capital Sanaa and several provinces since September 2014.
