Saudi air defenses intercept Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh

RIYADH — The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia toward Riyadh at dawn on Saturday, Sept. 19, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said.Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the missile was successfully intercepted before reaching the Saudi capital.Al-Maliki said the attack represented a continued escalation by the Houthis and accused the group of deliberately and systematically targeting civilians and civilian objects in Riyadh, a city with more than 8 million citizens and residents.He said the Houthis also attempted to target civilians and civilian objects in Baish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu, but the attacks were thwarted by Saudi air defense systems.Al-Maliki said the Coalition Command reserves the right to take appropriate measures in accordance with customary international humanitarian law to deter further Houthi attacks.