Yemen rebels fire ballistic missile on Saudi capital

[IBRIS]

Missile attack on Saudi palace opens new chapter in conflict – Houthi rebels
Published time: 19 Dec, 2017 11:13Edited time: 20 Dec, 2017 07:32

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia © Faisal Al Nasser / Reuters

The Saudi-led coalition has reportedly shot down a ballistic missile targeting a meeting of royal leaders at the Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh. Houthi rebels in Yemen launched the attack, reports Reuters, citing local media.
There are no reports of injuries, according to the Saudi government’s media Twitter account. State TV reported no damage to buildings or infrastructure. A Houthi rebel spokesman on Twitter confirmed missile launched tuesday.

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen following the failed attack, reports Reuters, citing Arabiya television.

A plume of smoke was seen rising above the capital and eyewitnesses reported a loud boom that shook windows.

In xibrhe_1’s post on Instagram the smoke cloud left in the aftermath of the Riyadh incident can be seen.

Footage posted on snapchat and verified by RT Digital also shows the smoke cloud left behind following the attempted missile strike.

According to Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdussalam, the rebels allegedly fired a Volcano H-2 ballistic missile towards the Al-Yamama Palace.

© Google maps
The Houthi movement said the missile attack marked the beginning of a new chapter in its conflict with Saudi Arabia. The rebels claimed that Saudi royal palaces as well as oil and gas production and military facilities were well within range of their missiles, in a statement delivered via Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel.

READ MORE: 10 women killed in Saudi airstrike targeting wedding procession in Yemen – report

Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed by the Houthi rebels earlier this month after allegedly switching sides to stand against his former allies. Since then, the Saudi-led coalition has intensified its aerial bombardment of Yemen, with the UN Human Rights office confirming the verified killing of at least 136 Yemeni civilians and non-combatants between 6 to 16 December.

The Al-Yamama Palace is the official residence and office of Saudi King Salman and is located in the western suburbs of the capital. It is also the headquarters of the Royal Court. US President Donald Trump stayed at the residence during his visit in May.

READ MORE: Trump visits Saudi Arabia in first official foreign trip amid Yemen & human rights controversies

The Burkan missile has an estimated range of 800km (500 miles) and is similar to the Scud missile used by the Iraqi military.

https://www.rt.com/news/413617-riyadh-blast-smoke-reports/

 

[Hindustani78]

Mansour Al-Turki


http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/...rrorists-with-links-to-Iran-Interior-Ministry

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has said the Kingdom is currently facing terrorist groups with ties to Iran.

The ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki saidon Mondaythat terrorists involved in the murder of Mohammed Al-Jirani, a judge in Qatif in the Eastern Province were tied to Iran. Al-Turki, however, said terrorist acts were declining in the Kingdom.

In a statement, the spokesman blamed Iran for supporting terrorist groups that carry out missions on behalf of sponsoring countries, such as the Houthi militias, the Daesh outfit, Al-Qaeda and "even elements we deal with in Qatif."

"Sponsors of terrorism do not leave any trail of their involvement in order to avoid international condemnation. However, they form proxy groups to conduct terrorist operations that are supported and financed by them like the Houthi militias in Yemen,” Al-Turki said.

The terrorist organizations and groups take charge on behalf of these sponsoring countries through recruitment, incitement and training. These sponsors also provide them with logistic support through provision of explosive materials and weapons, he said.“We were able to expel terrorist elements from Al-Musawara neighborhood in the town of Awamiya in Qatif,” he said.

He also confirmed the death of wanted terrorist Salman Al-Faraj, one of the kidnappers of Al-Jirani, as well as the arrest of his half-brother Zaki Al-Faraj.

In his statement, Al-Turki said a number of terrorists participated in the kidnapping of Jirani, who was taken to an abandoned farm in Awamiya and killed. He said the Kingdom provides all resources available for the security services to exercise their functions in tracking terrorists.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1219501/saudi-arabia

DUBAI: Royal Saudi Air Defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile on Friday over the southern province of Najran, bordering Yemen.

The foiled attack took place shortly after Houthi affiliated news channel Al-Masirah TV published a statement stating that the militias had fired a missile at Saudi Arabia.

“This hostile act by the Iran-backed Houthis proves the Iranian regime remains implicated in supporting the armed Houthis,” spokesman of the Arab Coalition, Col. Turki Al-Malki said.

Maliki said Friday’s attack “deliberately targeted densely populated civilian areas.”

The scattered fragments of the missile caused minor damage to private property of one citizen, however there was no loss of life, Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA reported.

Meanwhile last year, the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen intensified their attempts on Saudi Arabia, targeting several civilian areas in the kingdom.

Last month, Houthi militias fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, this time targeting Al-Yamamah Royal Palace in the Saudi capital.

While in Nov. the militias launched a missile targeting King Khalid International Airport. Saudi air defense intercepted the missile and shot it down without causing any damage.

A UN Security Council-appointed panel confirmed the missile was manufactured in Iran, along with three other missiles fired from Yemen toward the Kingdom in 2017.

Houthi aggression towards Saudi Arabia caused a global outcray with a number of countries and organizations condemning the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1220726/middle-east#photo/1
RAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 7 January 2018

RIYADH: Two Coalition pilots Captain Fahad M. Al-Hoqbani and Captain Abdullah H. Al-Zeer were rescued from an area of operation in Yemen after their plane crashed due to technical faults, according to a statement from Col. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the joint forces coalition.

Al-Malaki said that a Saudi Royal Air Force fighter aircraft came down this afternoon after a “technical failure” on its return from operation tasks in Yemen. Neither pilot sustained injuries in the incident.

Al-Malaki added that the Coalition carried out a joint operation with air and ground forces to evacuate the pilots, who have now returned to Saudi Arabia.

 

[Armand2REP]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1220726/middle-east#photo/1
RAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 7 January 2018

RIYADH: Two Coalition pilots Captain Fahad M. Al-Hoqbani and Captain Abdullah H. Al-Zeer were rescued from an area of operation in Yemen after their plane crashed due to technical faults, according to a statement from Col. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the joint forces coalition.

Al-Malaki said that a Saudi Royal Air Force fighter aircraft came down this afternoon after a “technical failure” on its return from operation tasks in Yemen. Neither pilot sustained injuries in the incident.

Al-Malaki added that the Coalition carried out a joint operation with air and ground forces to evacuate the pilots, who have now returned to Saudi Arabia.

If anyone was wondering what kind of plane it was a Tornado.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1223531/middle-east#photo/2

LONDON: Royal Saudi Arabia Air Defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile over the southern province of Najran, bordering Yemen, on Thursday.

Yemen's Shiite rebels say they fired the missile targeting a special forces camp and a facility for helicopter gunships in the Saudi border province of Najran.

The media arm of the rebels, known as the Houthis, said Thursday's projectile was a Qaher 2-M ballistic missile.
The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Colonel Al-Maliki confirmed that the missile had been fired in the direction of the city of Najran and was deliberately launched to target civilian and populated areas, before being intercepted. Al-Maliki also stated that had been no loss of life.

It is the latest act of aggression on the border. Last month, Houthi militias fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, targeting Al-Yamamah Royal Palace in the Saudi capital.

While in November, militias launched a missile targeting King Khalid International Airport.

Saudi air defense intercepted the missile and shot it down without causing any damage.

Houthi aggression toward Saudi Arabia has increased in recent months and has caused a global outcry with a number of countries and organizations condemning the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Houthi militias have threatened to cut off Red Sea shipping routes, with Yemeni minister Abdul-Raqib Fat’h calling it a “flagrant” challenge to the rule of law.

Saudi-led coalition forces and their Yemeni allies last year regained control of several strategic ports, waging an assault against the Houthis. The Saudi Navy has also engaged in numerous mine-sweeping missions on Yemeni shores, amid warnings over explosives planted by the militias.