Saudi air defenses intercept Houthi missiles targeting Riyadh, Khamis Mushait

RIYADH — Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist militia toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, along with two drones targeting the Kingdom's southern region, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced.Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki confirmed that a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia toward Khamis Mushait had been intercepted and destroyed on Friday.In a separate statement, Al-Maliki announced that Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed another Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh early Friday.He also confirmed the interception and destruction of two drones launched by the Houthi militia toward the southern region on Thursday.In a separate statement, Al-Maliki categorically rejected Houthi allegations that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target Yemeni tribal and civilian gatherings, describing the claims as entirely false and baseless.He said the allegations reflected continued attempts by the militia to mislead public opinion, divert attention from its internal crises and practices, and drag Yemen's tribes into its conflicts."These allegations, in both their substance and timing, reflect ongoing attempts to mislead public opinion, divert attention from the militia's crises and practices, and involve the authentic Yemeni tribes in its conflicts," Al-Maliki said.He emphasized that Yemeni tribes remain an integral part of the country's social and historical fabric and a vital bridge of fraternity and communication between the Saudi and Yemeni peoples.Al-Maliki said the two nations share deep religious, geographical, historical and common bonds that cannot be undermined by disinformation campaigns or attempts to spread division and hostility.He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to Yemen's security and stability and its determination to preserve the historical and fraternal ties between the two peoples.The Kingdom remains committed to preventing the exploitation of Yemeni tribes or their involvement in conflicts that undermine the Yemeni people's aspirations for security, peace and development, he added."The truth will remain clearer than disinformation campaigns, and the bonds of fraternity between the two brotherly peoples will remain steadfast against all attempts to sow discord and division," Al-Maliki concluded.