Riyadh Placed Under Hostile Aerial Threat Alert as Saudi Defenses Intercept Two Missiles
Saudi Arabia issued a hostile aerial threat warning for Riyadh on Thursday after air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles, then lifted the alert within hours, two days before a world title boxing match in the capital.
Saudi Arabia issued a hostile aerial threat warning for Riyadh on Thursday, telling residents to stay indoors and away from windows and doors, after air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at the capital.
The alert read: “Warning. City of Riyadh is under a hostile aerial threat. Please remain calm, stay indoors or in a safe place away from windows and doors, and follow the instructions of Civil Defense.”
The Saudi-led coalition said air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh by Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to reports citing the coalition. AFP correspondents in Riyadh reported hearing at least eight explosions. The coalition described the Houthis as a “terrorist militia” in its statement.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense issued separate warnings of “potential danger” through the National Early Warning Platform for Riyadh, Al-Kharj Governorate and the southern city of Najran, urging residents to follow official safety instructions.
Within hours, a follow-up alert lifted the warning for Riyadh, BoxingScene reported. Saudi authorities had not provided further details about the alerts or confirmed the cause of the explosions heard in the capital.
Missile fire across three regions in one week
The Riyadh interceptions followed two other interceptions in the same week. Saudi air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward the Eastern Province on Thursday, and authorities also reported an interception involving a missile aimed at Taif on Wednesday.
The week’s interceptions have spanned Riyadh, Taif and the Eastern Province, extending a run of near-daily interceptions across widely separated regions of the kingdom.
Title fight still set for Saturday
The alert came two days before Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Christian Mbilli are scheduled to meet for the WBC super middleweight title on Saturday at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
Thursday’s press conference went ahead as planned, and a source at the scene told BoxingScene there was little concern among locals about potential air strikes.
One undercard fighter, Lindolfo Delgado, decided not to travel to Riyadh this week due to safety concerns. Delgado had been scheduled to face Arthur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. Nine fights remain scheduled on the card.
The event has drawn added attention in recent weeks as Houthi missile and drone attacks led to the cancellation or postponement of nearly every major sporting event in the region, according to BoxingScene. Earlier this month, 13 people were reportedly killed and more than 300 injured in an attack on Riyadh Airport.
Reporting based on coverage by BoxingScene and PakistanTV, citing AFP and the Saudi-led coalition.
