Riyadh, 13 October (H.S.):

Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems have foiled an attempt by Iran-backed Houthi rebels to target one of the kingdom’s strategically important cities. According to officials, two ballistic missiles fired towards Khamis Mushait were successfully intercepted and destroyed in mid-air. Following the incident, local authorities and security agencies have been placed on high alert.

According to reports by Gulf News, Al Jazeera and Arab News, the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government confirmed the attempted attack. It said debris from the intercepted missiles fell on nearby buildings and vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties or loss of life were reported. Security forces swiftly took charge of the situation, brought it under control and assessed the aftermath.

Khamis Mushait is a major city in Asir Province in southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is located approximately 27 kilometres east of Abha, the provincial capital. The city is regarded as the fifth-largest in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.

Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the Houthi rebels had launched two ballistic missiles from across the Yemeni border towards Khamis Mushait Air Base shortly after midnight on Monday. Both missiles were intercepted and destroyed.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence authority had issued an alert warning residents of a potential threat to Khamis Mushait. The coalition spokesperson also shared information about the incident in a post on X.

On Monday, the coalition said it was responding to attacks involving drones and cruise missiles. The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports and oil facilities.

Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport reportedly killed 13 people on Saturday. Four more people were killed in attacks on Wednesday and Thursday, while another person died in an attack on Sunday. Operations at the major airport on the outskirts of Riyadh remained suspended on Monday.

American Citizens Detained: The US Embassy in Riyadh said on Monday that American citizens who had been filming the recent attacks in Saudi Arabia had been detained, although it did not disclose the number of people held. The embassy also stated that US government employees would now be required to obtain its approval before using any airport in Saudi Arabia.

Attacks Condemned by 70 Countries: Saudi officials said that Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdul Latif Al Sheikh had received messages from 176 ministers and religious scholars representing 70 countries. They condemned the Houthi attacks, stating that they posed a threat to the security of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, civilians and pilgrims, as well as to regional stability.

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan, described the attacks as “among the gravest of crimes.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar