# Houthi missile attack threatens Riyadh > Houthi missile strikes Riyadh, escalating Yemen war near Saudi capital. - Title: Houthi missile attack threatens Riyadh · Malay Mail | Shortify - Summary: Houthi missile strikes Riyadh, escalating Yemen war near Saudi capital. Houthi group launched ballistic missile at Riyadh, prompting Saudi airstrikes and… - Keywords: breaking, houthi, saudi-led coalition, riyadh, yemen war, ballistic missile, saudi airstrikes, us security alert, yemen civil war, iran-backed group, arab gulf states institute, news - Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/20/houthi-missile-attack-brings-yemen-war-back-to-riyadhs-doorstep/235822 - Published: 2026-09-20T09:39:42+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: breaking, houthi, saudi-led coalition, riyadh, yemen war, ballistic missile, saudi airstrikes, us security alert, yemen civil war, iran-backed group, arab gulf states institute, news ## 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". ## Key takeaway Houthi group launched ballistic missile at Riyadh, prompting Saudi airstrikes and U.S. security alerts as conflict intensifies.