Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Defence. The incident occurred just hours before the Saudi capital was due to host a meeting of regional and Islamic foreign ministers.
The ministry confirmed that debris from the intercepted missiles fell in several parts of the city. Initial reports indicated that there were no casualties or significant damage.
Residents across Riyadh reported hearing multiple loud explosions, while some received emergency phone alerts warning of a potential aerial threat for the first time.
Earlier, state television reported that Saudi air defence systems had responded to a ballistic threat over the capital.
Since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran last month, Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks involving missiles and drones. Authorities state that the vast majority of these threats have been successfully intercepted.
However, Wednesday’s incident marked the first time many residents in Riyadh experienced audible blasts or received official warning notifications.
Witnesses reported seeing missile interceptions in the western part of the city, particularly near the Diplomatic Quarter, which hosts several foreign embassies.
The attack took place shortly before Saudi Arabia was set to host a consultative meeting involving foreign ministers from several Arab and Islamic nations. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening regional security and stability amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
Nearly three weeks into the conflict, there are few signs of de-escalation. The situation continues to impact regional stability and has caused significant disruptions to global energy markets.
According to diplomatic sources, representatives from countries including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates were expected to attend the meeting.
