Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Houthis Claim Riyadh Attacks as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile
Saudi Arabia said the Houthis launched a missile toward Riyadh, its capital.
Saudi officials said air defenses stopped and destroyed the missile.
People heard explosions, and officials told residents to stay indoors.
A fire also started at a fuel depot near Riyadh’s airport.
The reports do not prove that the missile caused the fire.
The Houthis said they launched missiles and drones at places in Riyadh and Yanbu.
They said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi strikes in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia said it was defending civilians and important buildings.
The renewed fighting has forced many people from their homes and sent thousands toward Djibouti.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh at dawn Saturday.
A fire broke out on an Aramco-marked fuel tank near King Khalid International Airport; its cause was not established.
The Houthis claimed two operations involving ballistic and cruise missiles and drones targeting Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia said attacks targeting Yanbu, Taif, Bisha, and Farasan were thwarted, while the Houthis said their strikes were retaliatory.
The United Nations said renewed fighting displaced more than 112,000 people, while nearly 3,000 fled across the sea to Djibouti.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and Yemen’s internationally recognized government are involved.
- What
- Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, while the Houthis claimed attacks using missiles and drones against Riyadh and Yanbu.
- When
- At dawn on Saturday; one source dates the report to September 20, 2026, while the other reports describe the timing relatively.
- Where
- Riyadh, King Khalid International Airport, Yanbu, Taif, Bisha, and Farasan in Saudi Arabia, amid fighting in Yemen.
- Why
- The Houthis said their attacks responded to Saudi airstrikes and restrictions on Yemen; Saudi Arabia said it was countering threats to civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Saudi-led coalition
Houthi movement
What happened in Riyadh
Saudi-led coalition
The coalition said the Houthis launched a ballistic missile toward Riyadh and that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed it.
Houthi movement
The Houthis said they successfully attacked sensitive sites in Riyadh, but the claim was not independently verified.
Civilian responsibility
Saudi-led coalition
Saudi Arabia said the attacks targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure and said it would take measures to deter further attacks.
Houthi movement
The Houthis denied deliberately targeting civilians and said their operations were responses to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
How the escalation should end
Saudi-led coalition
Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes on Houthi-held areas and says it is responding to threats.
Houthi movement
The Houthis said retaliatory operations would continue until Saudi airstrikes cease and restrictions on Yemen are lifted.
- Reported missile target
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Saudi account
- The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile at dawn Saturday.
- Fire location
- A fuel depot near King Khalid International Airport, involving a tank bearing Aramco’s logo.
- Houthi account
- The Houthis claimed two successful operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.
- Other reported targets
- Yanbu, Taif, Bisha, and Farasan; accounts differ on the exact spelling of Bisha/Baish.
- Airport impact
- King Khalid International Airport experienced major flight disruptions before traffic began to resume.
- Humanitarian impact
- The United Nations said more than 112,000 people were displaced and nearly 3,000 fled across the sea to Djibouti.
Sources
Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with ballistic missile
Saudi-led coalition says Houthis fired ballistic missile at Riyadh as fire breaks out near airport
Houthis Fire Ballistic Missile at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Intercepts
