Saudi Arabia Destroys 'A Missile Launched from Yemen' Near Riyadh

Saudi Arabian media reported on Saturday evening, November 4, that the country's air defense system had destroyed 'a missile launched from Yemen' near Riyadh. Reuters published this news citing Al Arabiya and Al Ekhbariya television networks, with the state television report indicating that the missile was destroyed north of King Khalid Airport. The IRIB news agency also reported, citing Al Manar network, that this missile was of the 'long-range ballistic type' and was fired towards King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. According to this report, Abdul Salam, the spokesperson for Ansar Allah (Houthi forces), tweeted: 'We have repeatedly emphasized that the capitals of the aggressor forces are not out of the range of our missiles.' King Khalid International Airport, named after Khalid bin Abdulaziz, a former king of Saudi Arabia, is located north of Riyadh and is considered the second largest airport in the country in terms of size and volume of operations. The report from Al Ekhbariya stated that the destruction of this missile caused no damage or casualties. No further details about this incident have been reported, but Saudi Arabia has previously reported the destruction of missiles fired from Yemen by the Houthis. For instance, earlier in August this year, the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia announced that a ballistic missile 'fired by Houthi rebels' from Yemen was destroyed near Mecca. At that time, the location of the missile's destruction was mentioned as the Wasiliah area in Taif province, 69 kilometers from Mecca, and it was emphasized that the destruction of this missile caused no damage. The report of the destruction of a missile launched from Yemen near Riyadh comes hours after the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia defended its recent attack on the Saada region in northwestern Yemen. On Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing eyewitnesses and medical sources, that the airstrike by the Arab coalition on a hotel and a nearby market left 26 dead. However, on Saturday, the Arab coalition stated in a statement published by the Saudi news agency that this attack targeted a 'legitimate military objective.' According to this statement, the attack aimed at a gathering place of armed Houthi militants. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia has conducted thousands of airstrikes against Houthi militants in support of Yemen's legitimate government. This group, which rose from the Saada region, now controls more areas of the country after ousting the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi from Sanaa. Iran is accused of providing military and financial support to the Houthi rebels, although Tehran officials describe their support for this Shia group as spiritual, denying any military assistance.