Symbolic imageSaudi Arabia intercepts missiles over Riyadh as Houthi war escalates
The Saudi-led coalition says it shot down missiles fired at Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Syria is reportedly weighing a troop deployment to support Riyadh.
Coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Maliki blamed the Houthis and said a ballistic and a cruise missile were destroyed over Riyadh, while a second ballistic missile was downed over the south. AFP journalists heard multiple explosions in the capital, and residents received text alerts to take shelter before civil defence said the danger had passed. The attack came hours after Saudi Arabia reported damage to its East-West pipeline in the Medina region on Monday. A Saudi Energy Ministry official said the strike caused a limited fire that was extinguished and that pipeline operations were unaffected.
Syria weighs troops for Saudi Arabia
The New York Times reports that Syrian reconnaissance teams have visited Saudi Arabia and Yemen ahead of a possible deployment. Officials told the paper no final decision has been made.
Houthis claim four operations
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said ballistic missiles and drones hit King Khalid International Airport and pumping stations, Aramco facilities in Abqaiq, Saudi forces in southwestern Yemen and a financial center in Riyadh, according to TASS. The sources contain no Saudi confirmation of these claims.
Strikes around Sanaa
The Houthi-run Saba agency said coalition air strikes hit the al-Mufazir gas facility and a state oil company building. Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that Saturday's strikes on Ash Sharyah village east of Sanaa killed at least 27 people, mostly women and children.
Other opinions
Al Jazeera labels the Houthis Iran-backed and relays the coalition's account. TASS carries the Houthi claims of strikes, and Global Times centers on civilian casualties in Yemen.