Ballistic missile targeting Riyadh airport intercepted

Riyadh : A long-range ballistic missile aiming Riyadh airport was intercepted by air defence forces. As per reports, the missile was shot from Yemen and was brought down close to the capital by Saudi air defence forces.

The authorities released the information via two official tweets.

"The Saudi air defence managed to intercept a ballistic missile towards Riyadh.

"The rocket landed on the airport campus and did not cause any significant damage."

"The missile force of the army fired on Saturday night a long-range ballistic missile, Borkan H2, on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh," Houthis said in a statement posted on Saba, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Government admitted that Houthi missile targeted the capital, saying the missile fell and exploded north of the airport, according to Saudi-run Al-Arabiya satellite TV.

For two and a half years Saudi Arabia has led a coalition fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Saudis, who back Yemen's internationally recognised government, accuse the Houthis of starting the war.

The Houthi rebels have seized control of Yemen's capital Sanaa, which has forced the government into exile.