Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi missiles over Riyadh and oil-rich regions

The Saudi-led military coalition announced on Sunday, 8 November 2026, that its air defences had intercepted several ballistic and cruise missiles. The coalition blames the Houthis, an Iran-backed armed group in Yemen that Saudi Arabia and its allies have fought for more than a decade. The incident points to a new stage of military escalation between the two sides, with oil-producing areas among the targets.

According to the coalition, the missiles were fired towards the Saudi capital Riyadh, the oil-rich Eastern Province and the south of the country.

Damage in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said a building in Riyadh belonging to the state oil company Aramco was slightly damaged on Sunday when debris from the air defence response fell on it. The ministry added that nobody was injured in the attempted attack.

Background

The Houthis have recently stepped up attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia, with airports and oil production facilities as the main targets. On Saturday the group claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks deep inside Saudi territory.

Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's internationally recognised government and leads the military coalition fighting the Houthi rebels. The long-running conflict in Yemen has recently flared up again in connection with the war between the United States and Iran.