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 Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict | |
| Type | Ballistic missile and drone strikes |
| Location | |
| Target | Saudi military facilities in Riyadh, Najran and Jizan |
| Date | 23 June 2020 10:00 a.m. (local time, UTC+3) |
| Executed by |  Houthi movement |
| Casualties | None reported killed |
The Saudi-led coalition reported the interception of 8 Houthis UAVs and 3 ballistic missiles launched at Riyadh.[2] According to Reuters: "Two loud explosions were heard in Riyadh and smoke billowed into the sky", but "there was no sign of damage to the side of the defense ministry building that is visible from the main road or to any surrounding buildings. The area was quiet on Tuesday evening, with normal traffic flows and no additional security measures.[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 edit
In March 2018, Houthi forces targeted Riyadh with missile attacks. Reuters reported that Saudi forces said they shot down three missiles over Riyadh shortly before midnight. Debris fell on a home in the capital, killing an Egyptian man 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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- ^ a b "Detail of Ansar Allah missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arbaia". Islamic World News. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Yemen's Houthis say they launched missile, drone attack on Riyadh". Reuters. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Rashad, Marwa; Dadouch, Sarah; al-Ansi, Abdulrahman (28 March 2018). "Barrage of missiles on Saudi Arabia ramps up Yemen war". Reuters.
- ^ Nada Altaher and Bianca Britton (12 June 2019). "Missile hits arrivals hall of Saudi Arabia airport, injuring 26, official says". CNN. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "International condemnation of Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha airport". Arab News. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one, wounding 21: Saudi-led coalition". Reuters. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ "Yemen's Houthis attack military positions at Saudi Abha and Jizan airports: TV". Yahoo / Reuters. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Drone and missile attack reported on Saudi Arabia". The Jerusalem Post. 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Saudi coalition shoots down Houthi ballistic missiles and drones". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Security Alert: Reports of Missile or Drone Attack on Riyadh". US embassy in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 23 June 2020.