The international military coalition led by Saudi Arabia has announced this Sunday the interception and destruction of five missiles launched by the Houthi rebels of Yemen against Saudi territory. According to the information released by the forces’ spokesperson, Turki al Maliki, the projectiles were two cruise missiles and three ballistic missiles and were headed toward the capital, Riyadh, and various regions in the south of the country.
The spokesperson has announced the interception of the cruise missiles through social media. Saudi air defenses have acted to prevent the entry of the projectiles into the kingdom’s airspace. Up to this point, the authorities have not reported any casualties, injuries, or material damage related to these launches.
The incident occurs in a context of intensifying clashes between the Houthis and forces backed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. The insurgent militia has resorted in recent months to launching missiles and drones against Saudi territory, including urban centers and strategic infrastructures.
An escalation linked to the offensive in Yemen
The attacks are framed within the Houthis’ offensive that began on September 3 in western Yemen and in the military response of the internationally recognized government forces, which have the backing of the coalition led by Riyadh.
On October 4, Yemeni Government troops announced a large-scale operation to recover territories that had fallen under insurgent control and to advance toward Sana’a, the country’s capital, which has been controlled by the Houthis since 2014.
Saudi Arabia has been involved in the Yemeni conflict since 2015, when it led a military coalition in support of the internationally recognized Government. Since then, the Houthis have launched attacks against Saudi targets, while the coalition’s military operations have targeted insurgent positions.
The new interception adds to a series of incidents that reflect the increase in tension between both sides and the expansion of fighting beyond Yemen’s borders.