The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:42 PM
Saudi Arabia Says One Dead As Seven Missiles Fired From Yemen By Iranian-Backed Houthi Rebels Strike Capital Of Riyadh
The missiles were fired at four targets, including the capital city of Riyadh, and all were intercepted and destroyed, said Saudi coalition forces spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki in a statement. Fragments from the intercepted missiles killed an Egyptian resident, the statement added.
"These hostile acts continue to pose a direct threat to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and threaten regional, as well as international, security," the statement said.
However, in a statement, the Houthi Ministry of Defense claimed the missiles hit seven different targets inside Saudi Arabia, including four airports.
Following the missile strikes, thousands of people reportedly came out onto the streets of the capital Sanaa to take part in demonstrations coinciding with the third anniversary of the intervention against the Houthi rebels.
In a speech to demonstrators, Houthi leader Saleh al-Sammad told the Saudis to "stop your airstrikes, and we will stop our missiles."
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has been the target of missile strikes from Yemen and after previous interceptions, the Saudis have responded with airstrikes on Sanaa. The response to this latest incident is likely to be even more punishing.
Of the seven missiles, three were aimed at the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, one was headed toward the southwest in Khamis Mushait, one along the southern border targeting Najran and two for the southern city of Jizan, according to the Saudis.