Saudi-led coalition downs drones as Egypt weighs sending help
The Saudi-led coalition said it shot down four drones over Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom on Saturday. Spokesman Maj-Gen Turki al-Maliki (photo) stated that the interceptions happened “in the regions of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the South.” He also posted footage showing air force operations against cruise missiles, drones, and Houthi ballistic missile launchers.
Regional tensions rise
King Khalid airport in Riyadh has been targeted at least 20 times since July. One attack last week killed 13 people. But the violence isn’t confined to Saudi Arabia. On Thursday, missiles struck near the presidential palace in Aden, killing at least five. Aden is where Yemen’s internationally recognised government sits, and it blamed the Houthis for that attack. The next day, the government said the Houthis fired two missiles at Aden airport.
Meanwhile, government forces said they advanced in Marib province, northeast of Sanaa. Saudi Arabia is backing a counteroffensive called “Dawn of Yemen,” and its air strikes have hit Houthi targets, including an oil facility in Sanaa. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said his country would “carry out any measure to protect” Saudi Arabia if asked, though he stressed Egypt isn’t seeking to join regional wars. “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. We are speaking only about defence,” he said. Egypt’s parliament was due to hold an emergency session on Sunday at the president’s request.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthi escalation. But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for a “comprehensive political process as the only practical and sustainable way to resolve” the conflict. Several embassies in Saudi Arabia restricted travel and warned citizens not to use airports. The Saudi Ministry of Education also extended remote learning for students in Riyadh and nearby Diriyah.
