Saudi Arabia: Rocket reaches Saudi territory July 22

Event

US defense officials announced on Wednesday, July 26, that Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched a rocket from Sa'ada into Saudi Arabia on Saturday, July 22. The rocket traveled 930 km (580 mi) into Saudi territory before landing at an unidentified site. The intended target was reportedly an oil facility near Yanbu. No fatalities were reported from the rocket; however, officials did express concern that the Houthi rebels have improved their capability to attack targets deeper within Saudi territory.

Context

Saudi Arabia is heavily involved in Yemen's complex and deadly conflict. Hostilities have been ongoing since Houthi rebels entered into a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. Two rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to resolve the conflict. Approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million are displaced. The devastating war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which has affected approximately 350,000 people to date.

Advice

Given the prevailing terrorist risk in Saudi Arabia, those present in the country are advised to exercise caution at all times, avoid public places lacking adequate security measures or locations deemed particularly likely to be targeted in the event of an attack (e.g. official buildings, military zones, etc.), and report all suspicious objects or behavior to authorities.​