The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Saturday that it had intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh and other regions. The downed drones are the latest in a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.
Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki said the drones were shot down in the Riyadh, Eastern Province and southern regions. He also posted footage that he said showed the air force intercepting cruise missiles and drones and striking Houthi ballistic missile launchers.
Attacks on Riyadh and Aden intensify
Riyadh’s King Khalid airport has faced at least 20 attacks since fighting between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government flared in July. One of those attacks last week killed 13 people.
On Thursday, missile strikes near the presidential palace in Aden killed at least five people. Aden is the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which blamed the Houthis. On Friday, the government said the Houthis had fired two missiles at Aden’s airport, while its forces reported gains in Marib province.
Egypt offers to protect Saudi Arabia
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Saturday that he was willing to “carry out any measure to protect” Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asked for help. He said Egypt did not want to intervene in regional wars, but that it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was harmed.
Sisi stressed that Egypt was speaking only about defence. Egypt’s parliament will hold an emergency session on Sunday at the president’s request.
Iran accused as travel warnings spread
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthis’ escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran backed a comprehensive political process as the most practical and lasting way to end the conflict.
Saudi Arabia is backing a government counteroffensive called Dawn of Yemen and has carried out air strikes on the Houthis, including on an oil facility in Sanaa. Several embassies in the kingdom have restricted travel and urged citizens to avoid airports. The Saudi Ministry of Education has extended remote learning for students in Riyadh and nearby Diriyah.
