Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones as fighting with Houthis rages

What the report says

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted several projectiles as fighting with Yemen’s Houthi movement intensified. According to the Saudi-led coalition, forces shot down a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, a drone in the capital region and a cruise missile directed at Khamis Mushait, and later said 10 ballistic missiles were intercepted over southern Saudi Arabia. The account was reported by Al Jazeera on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.

The latest exchanges came amid renewed concern around Saudi Arabia’s airport network after earlier Houthi attacks disrupted operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Al Jazeera reported that international flights were due to resume from one terminal while another was assigned to domestic travel. A Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, warned airlines and travelers that the airport remained a military target.

The Houthis also said they had targeted airports, energy facilities and a pipeline in Saudi Arabia, while Saudi civil defense reported responding to falling debris in the Mecca and Medina regions. The Houthis denied aiming at the holy cities. Al Jazeera also reported heavy fighting in Yemen, including clashes around Taiz and on other fronts, where government forces and Houthi fighters have been battling for territory.

The broader conflict matters because the war has deepened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and repeatedly spilled across the border into Saudi Arabia, affecting security, transport and civilian life.