Saudi-led coalition intercepts drone over Riyadh

The Saudi-led coalition said on Thursday it had intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region, as hostilities involving Yemen’s Houthi group and the coalition continue to escalate.

Coalition spokesperson Turki Al Maliki announced the interception in a brief post on X but did not disclose the drone’s origin or intended target.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s armed forces said they had carried out 835 strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets over the past 24 hours, claiming to have neutralised around 285 fighters and commanders and destroyed or disabled about 190 military vehicles and other assets.

A military spokesperson said the strikes were part of Operation Dawn of Yemen and involved combat aircraft, drones, field artillery, rocket launchers and sniper units.

The targets included Houthi movements and gatherings, reinforcements, weapons, armoured vehicles, firing positions, fortifications and supply routes.

The developments come amid escalating hostilities, including attacks targeting Saudi airports and energy facilities.