2020 Riyadh drone and missile attack

The 2020 Riyadh drone and missile attack was a cruise missile and drone attack carried out by the Yemeni Houthi rebels which occurred on 23 June 2020. The attack according to the Houthis targeted the King Khalid Airport and the Defense Ministry headquarters in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh.[1][2]

2020 Riyadh drone and missile attack
Part of the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
Location	Saudi Arabia
Target	Riyadh, Najran and Jizan
Date	23 June 2020 10:00 a.m. (local time, UTC+3)
Executed by	Houthi movement

The Saudi-led coalition reported the interception of 8 Houthis UAVs and 3 ballistic missiles launched at Riyadh.[2] However two loud explosions were heard in Riyadh.[2]

According to Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki, the Houthi attack was "a deliberate hostile action designed to target civilians".[2]

Background

In March 2018, Houthi forces targeted Riyadh with missile attacks, killing an Egyptian national and wounding two others.[3]

In June 2019, the Houthis launched cruise missiles at Abha International Airport and killed a Syrian civilian and wounded 47 others.[4][5][6][7]

In September 2019, Iranian forces launched an attack on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq–Khurais energy facility.[8]

During the ongoing civil war in Yemen and the Saudi intervention in Yemen, Houthi forces were achieving territorial gains in the Al Jawf Governorate and in Marib.[9] The attack is considered by analysts as a big escalation in the war and a reason for Saudi Arabia to reconsider "its military prowess".[9]

Attacks

According to the Houthis the attack was carried out targeting 5 locations in Saudi Arabia and Yemen:

• King Khalid Airport and Defense Ministry headquarters Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Military assets of the Saudi led coalition in Najran, Saudi Arabia.
• Abha Airport in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia.
• Military assets of the Saudi led coalition in Jizan, Saudi Arabia.
• Tadawin and al-Ruwaik bases in Marib, Yemen.[1]

No casualties were reported.[10]

Reactions

• United States- The embassy of the United States in Saudi Arabia confirmed a report of "missile and drone attacks" in Riyadh, and make a call to take precautions. The embassy urged people to take defensive actions. Quoting “If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover”. This statement corroborated the possibility of the attack amid fears of more waves of attacks on Saudi Arabia.[8]

References

1. "Detail of Ansar Allah missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arbaia". Islamic World News.
2. "Yemen's Houthis say they launched missile, drone attack on Riyadh". Reuters. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
3. Rashad, Marwa; Dadouch, Sarah; al-Ansi, Abdulrahman (28 March 2018). "Barrage of missiles on Saudi Arabia ramps up Yemen war". Reuters.
4. Nada Altaher and Bianca Britton. "Missile hits arrivals hall of Saudi Arabia airport, injuring 26, official says". CNN. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
5. "International condemnation of Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha airport". Arab News. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
6. "Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one, wounding 21: Saudi-led coalition". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
7. "Yemen's Houthis attack military positions at Saudi Abha and Jizan airports: TV". Yahoo / Reuters. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
8. "Drone and missile attack reported on Saudi Arabia". The Jerusalem Post.
9. "Saudi coalition shoots down Houthi ballistic missiles and drones". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
10. "Security Alert: Reports of Missile or Drone Attack on Riyadh". US embassy in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 23 June 2020.