Fresh explosions were reported in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Wednesday after the Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile heading towards the city amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on King Khalid International Airport, oil facilities in Dhahran and an Aramco refinery in Riyadh, reports AP.
They described the strikes as retaliation for Saudi air raids on areas of Yemen under rebel control. No immediate casualties or damage were reported from the latest explosions.
Saudi civil defence authorities issued air raid alerts for Riyadh and Kharj province.
The growing hostilities have raised concerns over the kingdom’s ability to defend itself against Houthi missiles and drones. Regional officials said Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest purchaser of American weapons, was running low on missile interceptors.
Saudi Civil Defense reported that debris from two intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles fell on residential areas of Riyadh overnight, injuring four people, including a child, and damaging 15 homes.
In Yemen, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said a Saudi airstrike on Tuesday struck a state oil company facility in the Ras Isa port area of Hodeida province, killing two people and injuring two others.
The ministry also reported an attack on an oil facility in Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia has stepped up airstrikes on rebel-held areas in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis have continued targeting critical infrastructure in the kingdom.
The intensifying conflict has also fuelled speculation over possible US involvement. President Donald Trump has said he is considering whether Washington should join the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis.
Ahmed Nagi, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the attacks on fuel storage facilities in Houthi-controlled territory signalled a new phase in the Saudi-led campaign.
He warned that a prolonged war of attrition could undermine the rebels’ military capabilities.
