Saudi Arabia warns Houthis after missile attacks injure four in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia has warned Yemen’s Houthis of serious consequences after missile and drone attacks injured four people in Riyadh, damaged residential buildings, and targeted a Saudi Aramco facility.

WEBDESK – MEDIABITES

Saudi Arabia has warned Yemen’s Houthi militia of serious consequences after a barrage of missile and drone attacks targeted the Kingdom, injuring four people in Riyadh and striking a Saudi Aramco facility in Dhahran.

The warning came as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, October 13, where ministers backed the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen’s military operations and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting its security and sovereignty.

According to Arab News, the Cabinet condemned recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi airports, the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques, and civilian and economic infrastructure.

Ministers expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Crown Prince praised the Saudi Armed Forces for defending the Kingdom, protecting citizens and residents, and safeguarding national resources against threats.

Saudi air defenses intercept missiles and drones

Saudi air defense systems intercepted and destroyed multiple cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones launched towards the Kingdom on Tuesday and early Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, the Arab Coalition intercepted six cruise missiles, two ballistic missiles and five drones over various areas of Riyadh.

Falling missile debris injured four people and caused minor damage to 15 residential buildings, highlighting the risks posed to civilians even when incoming projectiles are intercepted.

Separately, an official source at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, in the Eastern Province, was targeted. The incident caused a minor fire.

The targeting of facilities linked to the oil industry has raised further concerns about threats to Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure and the potential implications for international energy supplies.

Cabinet backs coalition operations in Yemen

The Cabinet said the international military coalition’s operations in Yemen were intended to neutralize threats posed by the Houthis to the Yemeni population, international peace and security, global trade and international supply chains.

Ministers also thanked countries and international organizations that had condemned the attacks.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, two strategic waterways that carry significant volumes of international trade and energy shipments.

The Cabinet also reviewed efforts to restore oil flows through Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline following a temporary shutdown caused by a drone attack on September 11.

Ministers said the rapid restoration demonstrated the resilience of the Kingdom’s energy infrastructure and its ability to maintain reliable supplies to international markets.

Saudi Arabia approves economic cooperation measures

Alongside security developments, the Cabinet reviewed diplomatic engagements and approved several economic and international cooperation initiatives.

These included a three-year Gulf Cooperation Council food-security strategy, a research and innovation cooperation agreement with Türkiye’s Scientific and Technological Research Council, and scientific and educational cooperation with a UNESCO regional center.

The Cabinet also authorized discussions with Egypt on financial-sector supervision and approved Saudi contributions to humanitarian funds administered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Another major decision was to merge the General Authority for Foreign Trade and the Saudi Export Development Authority into a single agency, the General Authority for Foreign Trade and Export. The necessary regulatory and administrative measures are to be completed within 180 days.

The latest warning signals Riyadh’s determination to deter further Houthi attacks as the reported strikes raise concerns about civilian safety, regional stability, maritime security and the protection of critical energy infrastructure.