Saudi-Houthi Conflict Live Updates: Saudi-led coalition says Houthis fired ballistic missile at Riyadh
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis toward Riyadh on Saturday.
· The Indian Express · JoinA tense night across the Middle East saw Saudi Arabia issue, and then lift, a second security alert for Riyadh, while Iran pushed forward on two fronts at once carrying out an execution linked to alleged spying for Israel, and quietly sending its conditions for ending the war to Washington through Qatar. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed fresh attacks on Saudi and Aramco sites, even as it denied targeting Mecca with a drone.
What did the Houthis say they targeted: Yemen’s Houthi movement said it struck what it called “sensitive” locations in Riyadh, using a mix of ballistic missiles and drones. It also claimed an attack on an Aramco facility in the Saudi city of Yanbu. At the same time, the group pushed back strongly against separate claims that it had aimed a drone at Mecca, denying any such attack took place.
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Key world developments
- Saudi Arabia issued a security alert for Riyadh for the second time, then gave the all-clear shortly after.
- Iran executed a man accused of passing missile-related information to Israel.
- Turkey pulled the operating licence of Bank Mellat, one of Iran’s biggest private banks.
- Flames and a large plume of black smoke were spotted near Riyadh’s airport, according to Reuters and AFP.
- The Saudi-led coalition said it shot down and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh on Saturday.
Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.
Live Updates
Sep 20, 2026 09:36 AM IST
B-1B bomber spotted leaving RAF Fairford on afterburner, loaded for a mission
A US B-1B Lancer bomber was filmed taking off from RAF Fairford this evening with its afterburners fully lit. A takeoff like this usually points to a heavier aircraft, often carrying a full weapons load, though it can also happen during routine training flights. Fairford has served as the main base for Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iranian targets since March, with around a dozen B-1Bs still stationed there.
Sep 20, 2026 07:05 AM IST
Houthis say targeted 'sensitive sites' in Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu
Yemen's Houthis said on Saturday that they launched strikes targeting "sensitive sites" in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and oil facilities in the kingdom's port city of Yanbu, hours after residents reported blasts in the Saudi capital, AFP reported.
"In response to the Saudi enemy's criminal attempts to target the capital Sana'a... the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out two successful military operations using a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, in a statement on Telegram.
"The first targeted sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu."
Sep 20, 2026 07:03 AM IST
Turkey 'unacceptable' for Saudi Arabia to be made part of US-Iran war
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia may have some military needs due to the ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthis and that Turkey would look into them as part of a trilateral defence pact signed with Pakistan.
Speaking on broadcaster NTV, Fidan said it was unacceptable for Saudi Arabia to be made a part of the US-Iran war as it had no desire to join the conflict, and added without elaborating, that proposals have been conveyed to all sides to end the fighting.
Sep 20, 2026 06:29 AM IST
US says it killed four people in strike on vessel in Caribbean
The US Military said it killed four people in a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean on Saturday, alleging that the vessel was involved in drug trafficking.
"Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking," the military's Southern Command posted on X.
The attack was the latest in a campaign dating back to last year that targets what the Trump administration describes as "narco-terrorists." Rights groups have labeled the attacks "extrajudicial killings."
Sep 20, 2026 05:45 AM IST
CNN, MS NOW denied access to White House grounds
US media outlets CNN and MS NOW said they were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump announced a ban against them for reporting what he calls "fake news."
The news outlets both denounced the move as a violation of the US constitution and vowed to keep reporting on the US government. Both are expected to take the bans to court to regain access to the presidential mansion.
Sep 20, 2026 05:36 AM IST
Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital
Yemen's Houthis said they attacked "sensitive" sites in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday with missiles and drones, hours after flames and a large plume of smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
Saudi Arabia had sent alerts overnight warning of potential danger around Riyadh, amid an escalation in attacks by the Houthis in the kingdom.
Reuters video and photographs showed a huge pillar of black smoke rising in the area, with the airport highway, main terminal building and other facilities in the foreground. At one point in the video, flames were visible rising from behind what appeared to be fuel tanks.
Sep 20, 2026 05:25 AM IST
Egypt condemns attacks on Riyadh, backs Saudi Arabia
Egypt has condemned “in the strongest terms” attacks on Riyadh on Saturday morning, describing them as a “flagrant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s security and stability and of international law.
In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks represented a “dangerous escalation” that could increase regional tensions and further destabilise the region.
Cairo said it “categorically rejects” any attempt to undermine Saudi Arabia’s security or sovereignty and expressed full solidarity with the kingdom.
It also backed any measures Saudi Arabia takes to preserve its security, stability and territorial integrity, adding that the security of Saudi Arabia and Egypt is “indivisible”.
Sep 20, 2026 05:21 AM IST
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