Forces intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the southern region of Saudi Arabia, according to the coalition.
Published on October 17, 2026
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said it intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh and other areas, the latest in a wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s airports and oil facilities.
“We intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past hours in the Riyadh, Eastern and Southern Province regions,” coalition spokesman General Turki al-Maliki said on Saturday.
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He also released footage of what he described as the air force intercepting cruise missiles and drones and striking ballistic missile launchers belonging to the Houthis.
Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport has been the target of at least 20 attacks – including one last week that killed 13 people – since fighting between Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government erupted in July.
On Thursday, at least five people were killed in missile strikes near the presidential palace in Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. He blamed the attack on the Houthis.
On Friday, the Yemeni government said the Houthis fired two missiles at Aden airport, while government forces said they had advanced into Marib province, northeast of Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia is supporting a government counter-offensive, known as Yemen Dawn, and has carried out airstrikes against the Houthis, including on an oil facility in Sanaa.
Egypt considers aid
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi said on Saturday he was ready to “take any measures to protect” Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asked him to do so.
Egypt does not seek to intervene in regional wars, al-Sisi said, but it is “inconceivable” that Cairo would stand idly by while Saudi Arabia suffers damage.
“I’m not talking about fighting or attacking anyone. We’re just talking about defense,” he said.
Egypt’s parliament is holding an emergency session on Sunday at the president’s request.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthi escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for his part, declared that Tehran supported a “comprehensive political process as the only practical and lasting way to resolve” the conflict.
Several embassies in Saudi Arabia have restricted travel and warned citizens not to use airports.
The Saudi Ministry of Education has extended distance learning to students in Riyadh and Diriyah, in light of recent Houthi attacks.
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