Saudi air defenses intercept two ballistic missiles launched by Houthis toward Riyadh
Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh on the evening of Thursday, 29 October 2026, after early warnings were issued in Riyadh and Najran; international condemnations followed in calls with Saudi officials.
Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis from Yemen toward the capital Riyadh on the evening of Thursday, 29 October 2026, according to the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, in the latest attempt to target Saudi cities.
Before the interception was announced, the Saudi Civil Defense issued alerts via the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies in the cities of Riyadh and Najran to warn of an aerial threat, and explosions were heard in the capital's sky, before the Civil Defense later announced that the danger had passed.
Instructions for residents to take cover
The Civil Defense urged residents to remain calm and immediately go to the nearest safe place inside a building or an interior room away from windows and stay there until the danger passes, to avoid open areas, balconies and rooftops, and asked drivers to pull over to the side of the road away from bridges and tall buildings.
It warned that photographing, publishing or sharing any information related to the interception of missiles and drones or their impact sites exposes the person to legal accountability.
Thursday's attack comes two days after the Saudi Civil Defense said that debris from intercepting two ballistic missiles over Riyadh on Tuesday evening caused material damage to a building, a construction project and a vehicle.
International condemnations in calls with Riyadh
The attack coincided with a series of calls by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. In a phone call with him, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his country's condemnation of the Houthi attacks that targeted civilian facilities in the Kingdom, and the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them.
The Crown Prince also held a call with the Spanish Prime Minister during which he offered condolences for the victims of a train collision near the city of Toledo, and the Crown Prince also discussed regional developments with the Romanian president.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a call from the Secretary‑General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmed, who expressed the organization's strongest condemnation of the continued Houthi attacks on the Kingdom. Prince Faisal also discussed developments in Yemen and efforts to support the Yemeni government with Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al‑Zouba.
