Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh has been targeted in the past by missiles and armed drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Shuttershock
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh has been targeted in the past by missiles and armed drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Shuttershock
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh has been targeted in the past by missiles and armed drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Shuttershock
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh has been targeted in the past by missiles and armed drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Shuttershock

Saudi Arabia intercepts airborne attack at Riyadh


  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed an unspecified “hostile air target” targeting its capital Riyadh on Saturday.

The Saudi-led coalition supporting the government in the civil war in neighbouring Yemen did not provide further information, in a statement released on state television.

It did not specify the nature of the attack or who could have been behind it.

A loud boom was heard over central Riyadh on Saturday morning, accompanied by a trail of white smoke in the sky.

"I heard a loud sound and thought that something had fallen from the sky," one resident, who lives in the Al Sulaimaniyah district of Riyadh, told AFP.

"The whole house was shaking."

The Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels regularly launch missiles and armed drones at Saudi territory, although only a few of the attacks have reached as far north as the capital.

Western experts, Saudi Arabia and the United States say Iran has supplied arms, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis. Iran denies this, although devices in the weapons link back to Tehran.

The United States strongly condemned the attack in a statement released on Sunday.

"We are gathering more information, but it appears to have been an attempt to target civilians. Such attacks contravene international law and undermine all efforts to promote peace and stability.

"As we work to de-escalate tensions in the region through principled diplomacy, including by bringing an end to the war in Yemen, we will also help our partner Saudi Arabia defend against attacks on its territory and hold those who attempt to undermine stability to account," the statement said.

The United Arab Emirates also strongly condemned the attack, issuing a statement expressing its full solidarity with the Kingdom.

"The security of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and that any threat facing the Kingdom is considered by the Emirates a threat to its security and stability."

France, Germany and the UK also strongly condemned the attempted aerial attack on Riyadh.

UPI facts

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1.

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China

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Japan

5

Norway

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Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

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December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km