Edward Marchesi Amid a new wave of hostilities emanating from Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition demonstrated the readiness of its air defense systems . This morning, Saudi forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia toward the eastern part of the kingdom, announcing the intervention through spokesman Turki al-Malki.
On the same day, authorities confirmed the interception of ten ballistic missiles and three drones targeting the south of the country, near the Yemeni border. The interception operations were followed by a series of danger alerts in several cities, including the capital Riyadh and the southwestern towns of Abha, Khamis Mushait, and Najran.
Interception of missiles and drones on the southern border
According to spokesman Turki al-Malki, the ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis were identified in time by advanced radar and neutralized before they could hit strategic targets. The response from Saudi air defense systems allowed the entire barrage to be destroyed, minimizing potential consequences for the civilian population in the area.
Details on the alerts and the authorities' response
The alerts were coordinated by the Kingdom's Ministry of Defense , which issued warnings through official channels. The warnings were lifted shortly after the effectiveness of the countermeasures was confirmed, but they highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas facing the Yemeni conflict.
The attack on King Fahd Airport in Dammam
Parallel to the defensive operations, an attack hit King Fahd International Airport in Dammam , located in the eastern part of the kingdom. The incident killed one person and injured eight others, some in critical condition. Local civil aviation authorities have begun an assessment of the structural damage but have not yet specified the exact nature of the device used.
This development is part of a broader context of pressure on civilian infrastructure, in which the Houthis have already repeatedly threatened Saudi airport facilities. Riyadh's airport, which was closed for two weeks following previous attacks, has been announced as reopening soon, but the extent of its operation remains uncertain.