Saudi Arabia downs missiles fired at Riyadh after Houthi attack on pipeline

Notably, the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis has confirmed it intercepted two missiles fired towards the kingdom's capital, Riyadh, and another aimed at its southern region.

Key points

• Major-General Turki al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the coalition, blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for Tuesday's attacks.
• The pipeline is a vital route for Saudi oil exports due to Tehran's restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel war against Iran.
• On Monday, the East-West oil pipeline in the Medina region was attacked again.
• Saudi authorities stated falling debris from an "attempted attack" had caused minor damage to the Aramco Tower.
• Multiple explosions were heard in Riyadh, according to the AFP news agency, and residents received text-message alerts instructing them to take shelter due to an "aerial threat".

While a second ballistic missile was downed over the southern part of the country, in a series of posts on X, he remarked a ballistic missile and a cruise missile were intercepted and destroyed over Riyadh.

Notably, a subsequent message from the country's civil defence agency remarked the danger had passed. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.

Notably, the strikes were the latest in a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia as fighting rages in Yemen between the Houthis and the country's internationally recognised administration, backed by Riyadh.

While the Houthis have repeatedly struck Saudi oil infrastructure, including refineries and storage facilities, with drones and missiles, the coalition has backed a Yemeni administration offensive to retake territory with air strikes.

On Monday, the East-West oil pipeline in the Medina region was attacked again. A Saudi Energy Ministry official informed the state-run SPA news agency the strike caused a "limited fire" that was extinguished. According to The official, "pipeline operations were unaffected". No injuries or deaths were documented.

For context, the pipeline is a vital route for Saudi oil exports due to Tehran's restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel war against Iran. The pipeline has come under attack a number of times as the war on Iran fuels a global energy crisis. On Sunday, the Houthis additionally stated they attacked Riyadh's business district.

Images published by the SPA demonstrated the deputy governor of the Riyadh region and other authorities inspecting the building, with damage visible on a number of floors.

For now, saudi Arabia downs missiles fired at Riyadh after Houthi attack on pipeline remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.