Saudi Arabia says it intercepted and shot down 'hostile drone' in Riyadh area

The Saudi-led coalition, which supports the Yemeni government against the pro-Iranian Houthis, announced on Saturday that it had shot down a “hostile drone” in the Riyadh region. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said “air defenses intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone in the Riyadh area” adding that debris from the interception fell without causing any injuries. The spokesperson did not specify who launched the drone.

In recent weeks, Yemen's Houthis, backed by Iran, have intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia. In particular, they carried out deadly strikes against Riyadh airport, causing it to close for two weeks. Friday October 29 Turki al-Malki claimed that the Houthis had targeted the region of Medina, located in the center-west of the country, where the second holiest site of Islam is located. The movement denied this.

Attacks that intensify

The Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, airports and ships come against a backdrop of renewed hostilities in Yemen during the summer. According to UN figures, they caused more than 1,600 deaths and displaced more than 275,000 people.