WEB DESK
Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile over Riyadh after it was launched from conflict-torn Yemen, with debris landing inside the capital’s international airport.
Officials said the missile attack claimed by Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels was the first aimed at the heart of the Saudi capital, underscoring the growing threat posed by the raging conflict in Yemen.
Residents in Riyadh reported a loud explosion near the King Khalid International Airport just north of the city after the missile was shot down yesterday, but authorities reported no major damage or loss of life.
Huthi rebels, who fired the missile from Yemeni territory more than 1,200 kilometres from Riyadh, said they were targeting the airport.