Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday, ahead of a meeting of regional and Islamic foreign ministers in the capital. The Defence Ministry said debris fell across parts of the city with no initial reports of casualties or damage.
Missile interceptions and public alerts
The Defence Ministry said scattered debris fell across various areas of Riyadh, with initial assessments indicating no casualties or damage. Several loud booms were heard, and some residents received phone alerts warning of a hostile aerial threat.
State TV said earlier that Saudi air defences had dealt with a “ballistic threat” in Riyadh. Two witnesses said they saw what appeared to be missile interceptions on the city’s western edge, near the Diplomatic Quarter that houses foreign missions.
Context of broader attacks and regional conflict
The Gulf kingdom has come under attack from hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since the U.S-Israeli war on Iran began last month, and authorities say the vast majority have been intercepted. Wednesday’s attack marked the first time many in Riyadh had heard blasts or received a warning.
Foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh
The attack came hours before Saudi Arabia was set to host a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a number of Arab and Islamic countries to discuss ways to support regional security and stability amid the Iran war.
A Turkish diplomatic source said representatives from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates would attend the meeting.
War outlook and energy disruption
There were scant signs of de-escalation nearly three weeks into the war, which has engulfed the region and caused unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies.
How do you think the missile interceptions will affect the upcoming foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh?
