Saudi Arabia says it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh

Summary

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia toward Riyadh, shortly after the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City issued a danger alert. Spokesperson Turki al-Malki announced the interception in a post on X for the Saudi-led coalition that backs Yemen's government in its war against the Houthis. AFP journalists in the capital reported hearing two blasts, and the civil defence then lifted the alert a few minutes later, saying the danger had passed. Later, the Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed the launcher, or platform, that fired the ballistic missile at Riyadh.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 09:04 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh shortly after authorities issued an alert, citing spokesperson Turki al-Malki's post on X that the Houthi-launched missile was intercepted and destroyed.

2. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 15:50 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Saudi forces said they intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at the capital after a danger warning, that AFP journalists heard two blasts in Riyadh, and that the civil defence lifted the alert a few minutes later, saying the danger had passed.

3. Channel NewsAsia

   20 Oct 2026, 18:31 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that the Saudi civil defence said in a statement on X that the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City had issued a warning to alert for a potential danger.

4. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 19:12 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed the platform that launched the ballistic missile fired at Riyadh, according to coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki.