The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government stated on Friday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region, without identifying who launched it or specifying its intended target. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki announced the interception in a brief statement published on the social media platform X, offering no further details on the incident and reporting no casualties or damage.
The announcement came hours after the coalition said its air defences had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi group towards Najran in southwestern Saudi Arabia. According to al-Maliki, debris fell following the interceptions, and authorities were assessing possible damage. Saudi Civil Defence had issued early warnings of potential danger in Najran before subsequently announcing that the threat had passed.
Earlier on Friday, the coalition also reported intercepting and destroying a drone in the Makkah region in western Saudi Arabia. The latest interceptions follow other reported incidents, including Thursday's announced interception of a ballistic missile allegedly launched towards Medina—a claim denied by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree—as well as the reported destruction of a drone in the Eastern Province.
The developments come amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and other parts of the country. Saudi Arabia has led the military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government since March 2015, following the Houthis’ takeover of Sanaa in 2014.
