A ballistic missile fired from Yemen has been intercepted over the Saudi capital of Riyadh, local officials say, causing loud explosions to be heard. One interceptor failed and fell in the area.
The incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday when multiple large explosions were heard across the capital city. Doors and windows shook across a large area, and some windows broke, according to residents.
State television confirmed that at least one ballistic missile from Yemen had been intercepted over northeast Riyadh before it was able to reach its target. Other details were not immediately released.
Video on social media showed interceptors being launched and a missile being destroyed over the skies of Riyadh. At least one interceptor appeared to fail and fall, causing a large explosion. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The Houthi-run SABA news agency in Yemen reported that it had fired multiple missiles into Saudi Arabia. One of them, a Burkan-2H ballistic missile, was targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the report said.
Over the past year, several ballistic missiles have been fired into Saudi Arabia by Houthi fighters in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Houthis to return President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to power.
A ballistic missile was intercepted near Riyadh in early November, prompting Saudi Arabia to impose a blockade on Yemen. Sunday’s missile appears to have come significantly closer to Riyadh than previous missiles were able to.
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