Saudi Arabia: Air defenses intercept Houthi missile in Najran August 16 /update 5

Event

Saudi military officials confirmed that a ballistic missile was intercepted in Najran province on Thursday, August 16. According to a military spokesman, the missile was fired at Saudi military facilities in the Al-Wajib area of Najran province. Houthi militants are suspected of firing the missiles from Yemen. No casualties were reported.

Context

On August 8, one person was killed and another 11 were wounded after a missile was intercepted in Jazan province. Military officials said that the casualties were caused by shrapnel from the destroyed missile.

Saudi Arabia has been engaged in the Yemeni Civil War, backing the Yemeni government against Houthi separatists, since 2015. Southern Saudi Arabia is a frequent target of Houthi attacks, and Riyadh has seen several missile attacks in the last several months; however, they rarely result in significant damages or casualties. Notably, Houthi militants launched a missile attack on Riyadh on March 25, coinciding with the third anniversary of the start of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen; one person was killed in the strike.

Advice

In the event of a missile attack, individuals in Saudi Arabia are advised to seek shelter, monitor developments to the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities or their home governments.