Houthis launch missiles at Riyadh, raising fears of wider Saudi-Yemen clash
For the first time since a 2022 ceasefire, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles toward Saudi Arabia’s capital, prompting warnings of a strong Saudi response.
Missiles from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Ansarullah Houthis struck toward Riyadh, marking the first breach of the 2022 ceasefire. The Houthis declared they would respond to any Saudi retaliation with an equivalent escalation. Saudi officials have signaled a “very sizeable” counter-action, heightening the risk of a broader regional war.
The incident highlights the historic enmity between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and raises concerns about spill-over effects. A panel of specialists, including Nawaf Obaid, Muhanad Seloom and Ibrahim Jalal, debated possible avenues to de-escalate the situation. Their analysis suggests that without diplomatic intervention, the conflict could expand beyond the two parties.
Why it matters
The missile strike threatens to widen the Saudi-Yemen war and could destabilize the wider Middle East.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 11 GCC nations issued a joint condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UN Security Council.
- Sep 11 The UN International Organisation for Migration says at least 46,000 Yemenis have been displaced since last week as clashes intensify.
- Sep 11 Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis attacked the Saudi Arabian southwestern cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan with ballistic missiles and drones.
- Sep 11 Iranian and Saudi diplomats held talks aimed at reducing regional insecurity.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 16 Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone aimed at Mecca and accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels of the plot, which the rebels denied.
- Sep 16 Houthis seized coastal towns and islands at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- Sep 18 Since the earlier report of 86,000 displaced, the UN now says over 112,000 have been forced from their homes.
- Sep 19 The Saudi Directorate of Civil Defence said the danger has passed in Riyadh and al‑Kharj and urged residents to continue following its instructions and avoid gathering or filming.
- Sep 19 The Houthis announced new missile and drone strikes on Riyadh and Yanbu.
- Sep 20 Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed a Saudi F‑15 was shot down.
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