RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward the eastern region, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition announced earlier today, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement that the Houthi group targeted Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province with the missile.
He confirmed that the projectile was intercepted and destroyed before reaching its intended target.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence Directorate earlier reported that emergency warning systems had been activated in the cities of Dammam, Al-Ahsa and Abqaiq.
Authorities subsequently announced that the threat had passed.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis took control of the capital Sanaa and several other provinces.
The Saudi-led coalition began military operations in 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis has intensified in
recent months.
The group has repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia, including aviation sites, with ballistic missiles and drones. — BERNAMA