Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces intercepted at least two ballistic missiles above the country’s capital city Riyadh and the Yemen-bordering southern city of Jizan. Turki al-Malki, the military spokesperson, said that the missiles were destroyed at 23:23 local time on Saturday. The state-run Al-Arabiya news channel claimed that US Patriot missile defence systems were utilized in the interception.
The interception of the missiles reportedly led to “debris scattering on some residential areas” in Jizan and Riyadh, with a few civilian injuries. Riyadhi residents reported three blasts late on Saturday, followed by the sirens of emergency vehicles in certain northern districts.
A military spokesman for Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, Yahya Saria, claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that the group’s forces launched Zulfiqar missiles and Samad 3 drones across the border, mainly at Riyadh. Other drones and missiles were apparently launched in the southern areas. Saria also warned of upcoming “painful operations” against the Kingdom if it continues its aggression against Yemen.
John Abizaid, the US Ambassador to the Kingdom, strongly condemned the attack and wished the victims a speedy recovery. “As the world focuses on combating the COVID-19 pandemic and saving lives, the Houthis focused on doing the work of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force by attacking innocent civilians,” he said. Secretary-General of the GCC, Dr. Naif bin Falah al-Hajraf stated that the “terrorist” attack was not just one on Saudi Arabia alone, but on overall Gulf stability and security.
Image Source: Middle East Monitor
Houthis Claim Responsibility for Missile Attack on Saudi Capital and Border City
A Saudi-led coalition intercepted at least two ballistic missiles late on Saturday night.
March 30, 2020
