Saudi air defense intercepts ballistic missile over Riyadh

According to Saudi military spokesperson General Turki al-Maliki, Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the capital, Riyadh, early in the morning. Al-Maliki added that attempts to target civilians and civilian sites in Khamis Mushait, Taif, Jizan, and Yanbu were also thwarted, describing the Houthi attacks as systematic and terrorist in nature.

Separately, reports indicate that the Saudi-led coalition command in Yemen retains the right to take appropriate countermeasures under international law. Meanwhile, discussions within the Saudi leadership reportedly reflect differing views on the next steps, with some officials favoring a diplomatic ceasefire and others advocating for a military response to reclaim lost territory near Bab el-Mandeb.