Saudi coalition dismisses Houthi claim of Riyadh attack as misleading

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government has dismissed claims by Houthi rebels that they launched a successful attack on the Saudi capital of Riyadh, calling the statements misleading, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the Yemeni armed group was attempting to divert attention from its military losses, according to Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, and Al Arabiya English. [1][2][4]

The Houthi rebels had claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles and drones at a Saudi Aramco oil facility near Riyadh, claiming the assault caused large fires, Al Jazeera reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Houthi rebels claimed a precise strike on the plant while smoke and fire were observed near an Aramco facility south of Riyadh. [1][8]

The denial follows a period of escalating cross-border fighting between the two sides. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Yemeni government forces claimed to have killed hundreds of Houthi rebels in intense clashes, while Houthis accused Saudi forces of conducting dozens of airstrikes on Sanaa. [8][9]