Saudi destroys missile launched towards Riyadh, two injured

Two civilians in Saudi capital Riyadh were “slightly injured” on Saturday after being hit by the debris of a ballistic missile fired from Yemen.

The missile, which was intercepted and destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense, exploded in mid-air over residential districts, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

“The incident was tackled according to the procedures and plans prepared for that,” SPA quoted media spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Riyadh region, Mohammed Al-Hammadi as stating.

Saudi air forces also intercepted another missile launched towards the city of Jazan, coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki confirmed.

“At 11.11pm on Saturday, March 28 2020, the Royal Saudi Air Defense intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia from (Sa’dah) and (Sana’a) toward civilians and civilian objects in the kingdom,” he said.

No casualties were recorded.

The launch of ballistic missiles “reflects the real threat of the terrorist militia and the Iranian regime sponsoring it”, he said.

The attack “targets international unity and solidarity, especially under such difficult and bitter conditions in which the world unites in combatting the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic”, Al Maliki added.

He stressed that the escalation in conflict by the Houthi militia does not reflect its announcement of acceptance of the ceasefire and de-escalation, nor any seriousness in reaching a comprehensive political solution with the Yemeni government to end the coup.

“The coalition will continue to apply and implement all decisive and deterrent measures to neutralise and destroy such ballistic capabilities to protect civilians as well as regional and international security,” Al Maliki said.