Riyadh, Clear Skies Magazine: Saudi air defense systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, as well as two drones launched toward the Kingdom’s southern region by Yemen’s Houthi militia, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki confirmed that a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia toward Khamis Mushait was intercepted and destroyed on Friday.
In a separate statement, Al-Maliki said Saudi air defenses had also intercepted and destroyed another ballistic missile targeting Riyadh early Friday. He further confirmed that two drones launched by the Houthi militia toward the Kingdom’s southern region were intercepted and destroyed on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Al-Maliki categorically rejected Houthi allegations that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target gatherings of Yemeni tribes and civilians, describing the claims as false and baseless.
He said the allegations were part of continued attempts by the militia to mislead public opinion, divert attention from its internal challenges and practices, and draw Yemeni tribes into its conflicts.
According to Al-Maliki, the allegations, both in their content and timing, reflected efforts to manipulate public perception and undermine the role of Yemen’s tribal communities.
He emphasized that Yemeni tribes constitute an integral part of the country’s social and historical fabric and serve as an important bridge of fraternity and communication between the Saudi and Yemeni peoples.
The spokesperson highlighted the deep religious, geographical and historical ties shared by Saudi Arabia and Yemen, saying these longstanding bonds could not be undermined by disinformation campaigns or attempts to spread division and hostility.
Al-Maliki reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Yemen’s security and stability, stressing the Kingdom’s determination to preserve the historic and fraternal relationship between the two peoples.
He added that Saudi Arabia remained committed to preventing the exploitation of Yemeni tribes or their involvement in conflicts that could undermine the Yemeni people’s aspirations for security, peace and development.
Concluding his remarks, Al-Maliki stressed that the longstanding bonds between the Saudi and Yemeni peoples would remain resilient despite attempts to create discord and division.
He said truth would ultimately prevail over disinformation, reiterating the importance of preserving the ties of fraternity between the two neighboring nations.