Houthis attack Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport again... Allied forces “successful interception” (2nd report)

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi rebels, who are continuing their offensive against Saudi Arabia, fired a ballistic missile targeting the international airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, again on the evening of the 12th (local time), but it was intercepted by the coalition forces.

Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition and Saudi Ministry of Defense, announced on social media site

Previously, Saudi authorities sent an early warning message to residents, warning that a potential hostile threat could be posed to Riyadh.

Afterwards, witnesses reported that they heard three explosions in Riyadh, which were believed to be the noise of an intercepted ballistic missile.

A local Korean said, "Three explosions were heard. It appears that the Saudi military intercepted the missile."

The Houthi rebels also confirmed a ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh International Airport and again warned to stop using airports across Saudi Arabia.

Yahya Sari, military spokesman for the Houthi rebels, said in a statement, "Our armed forces accurately targeted the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, with a ballistic missile this evening."

He continued, "No airport in Saudi Arabia is safe, except for the airports and airspace of the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina," and added, "We repeatedly warn all international airlines, as well as experts, employees, workers, and travelers from each country, to avoid flying to and using Saudi airports."

He added, "Separately, our military carried out military operations targeting Saudi Arabia's Khamis Mushait Air Base using unmanned aerial vehicles, and by the grace of God, the strike was carried out directly."

The Houthi rebels have recently been continuing daily attacks targeting international airports such as Riyadh and oil facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia.

In particular, on the 10th, a missile and drone attack was carried out against Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, killing 14 people and injuring more than 300.

In the subsequent attack on the 11th, one person was killed and about 10 were injured.

Foreign media reported that King Khalid Airport, the gateway to Riyadh, will be closed until the 17th in the aftermath of the Houthi rebels' attack.

The Houthi rebels are intensively attacking Riyadh while Saudi Arabia is hosting the 'World Petroleum Congress' (WPC Energy Congress) by inviting energy officials from each country and global energy companies.

This meeting was originally scheduled to be held in April, but was postponed due to the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and this time, the Saudi side pushed ahead with the event despite the armed conflict with the Houthis.

However, due to the Houthis' continued attacks, the meeting was disrupted by the absence of key speakers, including CEOs of energy companies, from attending.