Houthis Claim Ballistic Missile Attack On Saudi Capital

Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen say they carried out drone and ballistic missile attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh, as well as energy sites on the country's Red Sea coast.

One explosion had been heard in Riyadh, with residents near the airport saying they saw a large plume of black smoke later in the morning.

Saudi authorities said they intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired at Riyadh on Saturday, without confirming any further strikes or causalities.

The US state department urged Americans in the Middle East to "exercise vigilance and be prepared for potential flight cancellations and other travel disruptions".

"Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports. This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly," it said in a statement.

In a statement posted online, Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea said a "large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones" had been used to attack "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and Aramco state oil and gas company facilities in Yanbu on the coast.

The Houthis said 31 of their fighters had been killed while government sources said their side had lost 17 soldiers, according to foreign media.

The Yemen army also said 13 Yemeni soldiers were killed in two days of clashes with Houthi forces in the southwestern provinces of Taiz and Lahj.

SOURCE: BBC | Al Jazeera