Riyadh: The Saudi-led military coalition announced on Sunday that it successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, along with three drones sent to the country’s oil-rich Eastern Province. The coalition confirmed these developments on Sunday. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks targeting strategic centers across Saudi Arabia. Controlling a significant portion of populated areas in Yemen, the Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks aimed at Riyadh in recent days. Such attacks on the political and economic centers of the kingdom are considered challenges to Saudi Arabia’s internal security and economic stability.
Last week’s Houthi attack in Riyadh caused damage to a building that houses the administrative offices of Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company. The affected building is located in the capital’s main economic district. The rising frequency of attacks targeted at institutions related to the nation’s economic sector and critical infrastructure has become a cause for concern.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Province, which is the heart of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, has also become a principal target of Houthi attacks. Reports indicate multiple attempted missile and drone attacks carrying explosives have been launched against this region over the past few weeks. This area, which holds a substantial share of the kingdom’s oil and natural gas reserves, is crucial to Saudi Arabia’s economy. It is also home to the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s leading oil companies. Earlier attacks in October reportedly caused extensive damage to oil industry facilities in this region.
Key centers responsible for the country’s oil production and export face ongoing threats from these attacks. This has raised concerns about the stability of the international energy market and global oil supplies. Airports, ports, oil refineries, and other strategic infrastructure across Saudi Arabia are targeted by Houthi rebels. In addition to ballistic missiles, drones equipped with explosives are commonly used in these assaults. The use of such long-range weapons continues to pose a significant challenge to Saudi Arabia’s air defense systems.
In retaliation to Houthi attacks, the Saudi-led coalition has intensified air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting missile launch sites, drone storage facilities, and military bases, according to coalition statements.
The conflict between the Iran-supported Houthis and the Saudi-led military coalition has persisted for years, extending beyond Yemen’s borders and impacting regional security conditions. The ongoing cycle of missile and drone attacks and corresponding retaliations have further complicated the conflict situation in West Asia.
The continuation of attacks on Saudi Arabia’s major oil production centers and economic infrastructure not only poses a threat to national security but also raises serious concerns about the stability of the global energy market. Should the conflict intensify further, it is likely to have significant repercussions on the political and economic landscape of the region.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
