From Malay Mail · · 1m 30s
Houthi missile attack threatens Riyadh
Houthi missile strikes Riyadh, escalating Yemen war near Saudi capital.
In brief
Houthi missile strikes Riyadh, escalating Yemen war near Saudi capital. Houthi group launched ballistic missile at Riyadh, prompting Saudi airstrikes and U.S. security alerts as conflict intensifies. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Houthi missile attack
Houthi group fired ballistic missile at Riyadh after fire near King Khalid International Airport.
“The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said yesterday that the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn, after a fire broke out near the Saudi capital’s international airport.”
Saudi defenses intercept missile
Saudi air force intercepted and destroyed Houthi missile targeting Riyadh.
“Saudi Arabia’s air force "successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia towards the city of Riyadh at dawn yesterday"”
Houthi attacks on multiple sites
Houthi group targeted civilians and infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu.
“He said the Houthis also tried to target "civilians and civilian infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu"”
Saudi airstrikes response
Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes on Houthi-held areas but failed to stop advance.
“Saudi Arabia has responded with scores of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas but failed to stop the advance.”
Houthi retaliatory strikes
Houthi group carried out two successful military operations using missiles and drones.
“The Houthi group said it had responded to recent Saudi attacks by carrying out "two successful military operations using a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones"”
Houthi targets Aramco facilities
Houthi group targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
“The first targeted sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.”
Saudi air raid alert
Saudi authorities issued overnight air raid alert for Riyadh residents.
“Saudi authorities had earlier issued an overnight air raid alert.”
Riyadh resident reactions
Riyadh residents described missile attack as terrifying and disruptive.
“I heard the alarm, then my windows shook, it was definitely scary. I was not expecting this.”
U.S. security alert
U.S. State Department issued security alert warning of rapid conflict escalation.
“The U.S. State Department and its embassies around the region issued a security alert yesterday, warning of conflict that "has the potential to escalate rapidly"”
Houthi claims of Mecca attack
Houthi group denied Saudi accusation of Mecca attack as "worn-out lie".
“The incident comes days after Riyadh accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca on Wednesday, denouncing it as a "cowardly terrorist attack" on Islam’s holy city, which welcomes millions of pilgrims each year. The Houthis strongly denied the accusation, calling it a "worn-out lie".”
U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia
U.S. approved $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
“On Thursday, Washington approved a US$24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom to help Riyadh "deter current and future threats"”
Escalation trap analysis
Experts warn Saudi Arabia and Houthis locked in escalation trap without negotiation.
“Anna Jacobs of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington told AFP that Saudi Arabia was entering into a phase of escalation with the Houthis "but they know the only way this ends is through negotiations".”
The big picture
Houthi group launched ballistic missile at Riyadh, prompting Saudi airstrikes and U.S. security alerts as conflict intensifies.
