Saudi Arabia Says Six Houthi Ballistic Missiles Intercepted Near Taif and Yanbu

RIYADH (Terror Monitor) — Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles launched toward the kingdom, thwarting an alleged attempt by Iran-backed Houthis to target the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu, the Saudi-led coalition said Thursday.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the missiles were intercepted before reaching their intended targets and warned that further Houthi escalation would be met with a firm response. The Saudi Press Agency reported the statement, while the Associated Press said it could not independently verify the Saudi military’s account.

Saudi civil defense authorities issued alerts earlier Thursday for several areas, including Yanbu, Jeddah, Tabuk, Makkah and Taif, before later announcing that the danger had passed.

Reuters, citing security sources, separately reported that a Greek-operated air-defense system in the wider Yanbu area intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone on Thursday. The Greek Patriot system reportedly launched two interceptor missiles, although the sources did not identify who launched the incoming weapons.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Houthis for the six missiles. The group has, however, intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent days as fighting has escalated across Yemen and the wider region.

Yanbu’s Importance to Saudi Oil Exports

The latest reported attacks are particularly significant because Yanbu is one of Saudi Arabia’s key energy hubs on the Red Sea.

Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser told Japan’s Nikkei Asia that the company expects to be able to restore operations affected by disruptions within days and is examining additional export routes and overseas storage capacity to strengthen the resilience of its supply network.

Nasser said Aramco currently has three major export routes and is examining the possibility of developing a fourth and fifth route. The company is also considering increasing oil-storage capacity outside Saudi Arabia, including in countries such as Japan.

The comments come after attacks disrupted Saudi oil infrastructure and reduced shipments through Yanbu. Reuters reported that Aramco has increased exports from the Gulf port of Ras Tanura, using ship-to-ship transfers near Oman’s Sohar port to help offset reduced shipments from Yanbu.

Reuters also reported that no crude loadings from Yanbu had been observed since September 16, while Saudi Arabia has continued moving oil through alternative routes amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Wider Regional Escalation

The latest missile interceptions come amid a broader escalation involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the wider regional conflict.

The Houthis have in recent days been accused of targeting Saudi cities and energy infrastructure with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia has also sought additional air-defense assistance from several countries as the attacks have intensified.

The security situation has also affected shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, a major maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider global trade network.

At the same time, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the wider U.S.-Iran conflict. Reuters reported that only 17 commodity vessels crossed the strait over one recent weekend, compared with 37 the previous week and an average of about 125 vessels per day before the conflict.

With both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea facing heightened security risks, disruptions to Saudi oil exports could have wider consequences for international energy markets. Aramco says it is therefore examining additional export routes and overseas storage options to reduce the impact of potential future disruptions.