Saudi Air Defences Intercept Houthi Ballistic Missile Targeting Khamis Mushayt

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missile as Attacks on Kingdom’s Airports Intensify

Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia towards Khamis Mushayt in the Kingdom’s southwestern region early Monday. Meanwhile, the Civil Defense issued an emergency warning in nearby Abha before confirming that the threat had passed.

Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, confirmed the interception in a post on X. Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense also alerted residents to a potential attack on Abha, later announcing that the immediate danger had subsided.

The incident has renewed concerns over security in southwestern Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom faces a series of reported missile and drone attacks targeting strategic infrastructure, including major airports in Riyadh and Dammam.

Khamis Mushayt and Abha, located in the mountainous Asir region, have reportedly faced repeated Houthi attacks in recent weeks. The Iran-aligned group has also targeted Jazan and Najran, which border Yemen, where the militia operates.

The latest interception comes amid a growing wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian infrastructure. Reports of strikes near airports in the central and eastern parts of the country have raised concerns about the safety of passengers and the potential disruption of air travel.

On Sunday, a Pakistani national was killed and 11 others were injured after an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, causing a fire. The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the injured were taken to hospital, while officials began assessing the damage.

The incident marked the fourth reported strike targeting Riyadh’s airport in five days. Coalition forces also reported intercepting and destroying a cruise missile near the airport.

The latest developments followed a missile attack on the capital’s airport on Saturday that reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300. The incident was described in reports as Saudi Arabia’s deadliest attack in more than a decade.

Footage broadcast by Saudi state television showed religious pilgrims gathered near an airport gate as they prepared to travel to Islam’s two holiest sites. A bright orange flash prompted people to flee in panic, while parts of the terminal roof appeared to collapse. The airport was subsequently closed following the attack.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for Saturday’s assault, saying they had also targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, along with two facilities belonging to oil giant Saudi Aramco.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed that Dammam’s airport had been targeted on Sunday evening. Authorities began damage assessments and safety inspections to determine the impact of the incident.

The reported attacks have intensified concerns over the security of the Kingdom’s aviation network and the risk of a broader regional escalation. Saudi Arabia continues to support Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its conflict with the Houthi movement.

Amid the rising tensions, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Sunday regarding regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Araqchi said Tehran was prepared to help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, signalling a possible diplomatic avenue amid the escalating security situation.

Saudi Arabia has also received expressions of solidarity from Bahrain, the United Kingdom, Jordan and the European Union following the reported attacks on Riyadh’s airport. The diplomatic outreach comes as regional governments face growing pressure to prevent further attacks and contain the widening conflict.