Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missile Headed for Riyadh

Saudi Arabia said its forces had intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi group on Tuesday (20 October), local time. Saudi authorities said the missile had been detected heading towards Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

Riyadh authorities briefly issued an alert before announcing the interception, AFP reported on Tuesday (20 October 2026). Several AFP journalists in the city said they heard a series of explosions.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said Saudi forces had “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia towards Riyadh”.

The Saudi-led coalition supports Yemen’s government in its conflict with the Houthis, who are backed by Iran.

AFP journalists in the Saudi capital reported that at least two explosions shook Riyadh.

Saudi civil defence authorities said a warning had been issued through the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh “to alert the public to potential danger”.

The warning was lifted a few minutes later, with civil defence authorities saying that “the danger had passed”.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have reached an unprecedented scale, forcing the postponement of a major investment conference. This dealt a serious blow to Riyadh’s efforts to attract more foreign capital and diversify its economy.

A series of deadly Houthi attacks has forced the closure of Riyadh airport. The Saudi Air Force regularly targets the Houthis in Yemen in retaliation.

The conflict in Yemen flared up again last July, after easing for years following a fragile ceasefire agreed in 2022. The ceasefire collapsed after the Houthis allowed an Iranian aircraft to land in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.

The move challenged Riyadh’s control over Yemeni airspace and triggered a series of attacks.

The Houthis later announced a maritime blockade of Saudi ports and resumed attacks on ships, as well as on Saudi territory and oil facilities.