Houthis launch ballistic missile attack on Saudi’s Riyadh 

RIYADH: Reports say Yemen's Houthis carried out a ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition forces said they had intercepted attacks targeting residential areas in Yanbu, a port city on the Red Sea coast, as well as Taif, Baysh and Farasan. The attack on Riyadh is reportedly the first by the Houthis targeting the Saudi capital since tensions escalated between Iran and the United States.

Meantime, the Houthis claimed that the attacks targeted key locations in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu. Videos showing smoke rising from the area are circulating on social media. Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the attack, carried out using ballistic missiles and drones, caused a major fire. He also alleged that Saudi forces had attempted to launch attacks on Sana'a, the capital of Yemen.

The Houthis had also carried out attacks targeting Saudi Arabia in recent days. On Wednesday, Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi drone that was heading towards Mecca. Saudi Civil Defense said that on Thursday, a Yemeni national residing in Saudi Arabia was killed after debris from an intercepted drone fell on him.

Meanwhile, reports say fighting is also intensifying in Yemen. Reports say the Houthis have made advances along the Red Sea coast and have captured Mokha port and nearby islands close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.