The Saudi-led coalition announced on Sunday that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group towards southern Saudi Arabia.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interceptions in two separate statements posted on X, saying both aerial threats had been successfully neutralised.
The first statement announced the destruction of a ballistic missile, while a subsequent announcement confirmed that a drone had also been intercepted.
According to the coalition, both were launched by the Houthis towards the kingdom’s southern region.
Neither statement identified the intended targets or provided details of casualties or damage.
Earlier on Sunday, Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in the southwestern city of Abha and the neighbouring Khamis Mushait governorate, warning residents of a potential security threat.
Authorities later announced that the danger had passed in both areas.
The interceptions came hours after the Saudi-led coalition announced a military operation targeting what it described as vital resources used by the Houthis to sustain their military activities.
The coalition said the operation was intended to weaken the group’s capabilities, particularly its ballistic missile and drone programmes.
Saudi Arabia has reported repeated missile and drone attacks attributed to the Houthis in recent weeks, raising concerns about the security of communities and infrastructure near the kingdom’s southern border.
The latest developments highlight continuing military tensions between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis as fighting and security concerns persist across the region.