Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces successfully intercepted and destroyed multiple incoming projectiles, including a ballistic missile and a cruise missile over Riyadh, alongside another ballistic missile targeted at the kingdom's southern territory. Major-General Turki al-Maliki attributed the attacks to the Iran-backed Houthis. Residents across the capital heard several explosions and received civil defense shelter alerts before receiving a later all-clear message.
The aerial attacks followed a reported strike on the vital East-West oil pipeline located in the Medina region, which triggered a limited fire that officials confirmed was swiftly extinguished without disrupting pipeline operations. The critical export route has faced multiple prior assaults amid an ongoing global energy crisis fueled by the conflict involving Iran and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Additional recent hostilities included an attempted attack targeting Riyadh's business district, resulting in minor damage to the Aramco Tower from falling debris.
In response to the developments, Houthi-run media reported subsequent coalition airstrikes hitting locations in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa, including a gas facility and a state oil company building. No casualties were reported from the recent pipeline incident.
For market and crypto observers, ongoing disruptions to major energy infrastructure and vital oil export corridors like the East-West pipeline directly influence global energy supplies and macro market sentiment during periods of geopolitical instability.