Houthis claim ‘direct hit’ on Saudi defence ministry with ballistic missile

Yemen’s Houthi movement announced it hit a building of the Saudi Defence Ministry in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, while the Saudi air defences shot down a missile aimed at the capital, Riyadh.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group targeted the ministry, and the “hit was direct,” AFP said.

Two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh on Tuesday were intercepted and destroyed by Saudi forces, according to Saudi officials. Debris from the missiles shattered a building and damaged a construction site and vehicle, but there were no reports of casualties, AFP reported.

The Houthis said they had launched an attack on the Ras Tanura oil refinery in eastern Saudi Arabia and that the strike set fire to it. Saudi officials have yet to say whether the refinery has been hit, but a maritime security authority said a fire in the region was brought under control.

These recent strikes have occurred as a result of renewed conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen and could further threaten regional security and the safety of key energy infrastructure.

Confirmation of a direct strike on the Defence Ministry and the refinery could not be independently confirmed.