Riyadh: Yemen's Houthis on Tuesday said they targeted the Saudi defence ministry headquarters in the capital city of Riyadh as well as the Abha International Airport. Authorities had earlier said they had intercepted missiles launched by the group towards the airport.
"Our armed forces targeted the Ministry of Defence in the enemy Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile and the hit was direct," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.
Reports said witnesses in Riyadh had heard explosions earlier in the day. Authorities said they intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles launched towards the city.
Meanwhile, the rebel group also said it launched missile and drone attacks targeting other airports and oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, while the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting multiple projectiles launched toward the kingdom, according to statements from both sides.
Yahya Saree said in two statements posted on social media platform X early Monday that the group launched a ballistic missile at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
The missile "accurately" struck the airport, Sarea said, adding that Houthi forces also launched several drones targeting crude oil pumping stations along Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, and achieved "accurate hits." Saudi authorities have not immediately commented on the claims.
The East-West Pipeline is a key oil export route for Saudi Arabia. Running about 1,200 kilometers from the Abqaiq oil field in the east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, it has become even more critical for Saudi oil exports this year after tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping.
In September, the pipeline was temporarily shut down as a precaution after it was attacked.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said on Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
التحالف: الدفاع الجوي اعترض ودمر صاروخين باليستيين أطلقتهما الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية باتجاه الرياض. https://t.co/ecR4JQ3MIn
Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki announced the interception in a social media post.
(With inputs from PTI & Reuters)