Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels toward the capital Riyadh at dawn on Saturday, according to a statement from the Saudi-led coalition.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces successfully thwarted the attack. The missile launch marked the first air raid alert sounded in Riyadh since fighting escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in July.

Al-Malki described the attempt as part of the Houthis' "deliberate and systematic targeting" of civilians and civilian infrastructure in a city home to more than eight million residents. He called the behavior "hostile and terrorist."

The coalition also reported that Houthi attempts to strike civilian targets in Baish, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu were foiled by air defense systems. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts overnight on Friday and declared the danger over on Saturday morning. Residents reported hearing explosions, and a plume of black smoke was visible near King Khalid International Airport, where flight operations faced temporary disruptions.

No casualties or damage from the intercepted missile were reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in Yanbu, asserting the use of multiple ballistic and cruise missiles along with drones. Saudi officials rejected those claims of success and emphasized the defensive success.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Yemen conflict, where the Iran-backed Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi territory. The coalition reserved the right to take appropriate deterrent measures in line with international humanitarian law.

This latest attempt underscores the ongoing threat posed by Houthi forces to Saudi civilian populations and critical infrastructure.