Houthis claim attack on Saudi Defence Ministry as coalition reports intercepting missiles and drones

The Yemen-based Houthi rebels have now reported a ballistic missile attack on Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry located in the city of Riyadh on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, an escalation in regional missile strikes. The Saudi Arabian military officials stated that they have successfully intercepted several ballistic missiles fired into the capital Riyadh as well as eastern provinces before turning off alert threats soon after the explosion sounds in Riyadh.

Houthi claims vs. interception of ballistic missiles by Saudi Arabian air defence system

The military spokesman Yahya Saree of the Houthi military group issued a statement through social media reporting that his group has launched an attack targeting strategic military assets in the kingdom.

Ministry of defence: He stated that a "direct hit" had been achieved in their attack on the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Riyadh.

Airfield attack: He further added that they targeted two military transport aircraft with ballistic missiles in the airports of Najran and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, besides using drones against Abha International Airport.

Oil refinery attack: Besides this, he announced the attack on Ras Tanoura oil refinery located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Explosions in Riyadh and responses of the coalition forces

Several explosions occurred in the capital city of Riyadh Tuesday morning, when Saudi Patriot missile defense systems were targeting the incoming objects in the sky.

Spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition Brigadier General Turki al-Malki confirmed that the air defenses managed to destroy several ballistic missiles which targeted Riyadh and the Eastern Province, along with four explosive-laden drones which targeted the southern provinces.

The officials of Saudi Arabia have not revealed any damages or strikes to the Defense Ministry compound and the Ras Tanoura oil refinery, asserting that no casualties took place.

Tensions escalate in the Arabian Peninsula

These attacks are in continuation of the prior threats by the Houthis targeting the installations of Saudi Aramco in Yanbu and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.