Saudi Arabia Intercepts Two Ballistic Missiles Launched From Yemen

AT SEA, UNSPECIFIED – JULY 9: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout photo was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) In this handout screen grab captured from a video provided by the Houthi group media center on July 9, it shows the targeting of the commercial vessel named “Eternity C cargo ship” is targeted by a missile launched by the Houthi group’s recent attack on July 8, 2025, in the Red Sea, Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthi group based in Yemen has claimed responsibility for attacks on two vessels in the Red Sea this week. Between Sunday and Tuesday, the group attacked and sank the Magic Seas and Eternity C cargo ships – both of which were Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated. The crew of the Magic Seas were all rescued, while six crew of the Eternity C were rescued, four were killed during the attacks, and 15 remain missing. (Handout photo by Houthi Media Center/Getty Images) Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen toward the Red Sea city of Yanbu on Saturday, according to Greek security sources cited by Reuters, a day after US forces launched fresh airstrikes on Iran. Saudi civil defence authorities issued several warnings for Yanbu before later announcing that the threat had passed. A separate warning was also issued for the port city of Jizan, about 1,000 km south of Yanbu and near the Yemeni border. There were no immediate official reports of damage or casualties. The defence system used to intercept the missiles was operated by Greek military personnel, according to the sources. Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot air defence battery in Saudi Arabia since 2021 under an agreement aimed at protecting the kingdom’s critical energy infrastructure. The latest missile launches came after US President Donald Trump threatened “major military punishment” against Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen. The Houthis, who control large parts of northern and western Yemen, said on Thursday that they had attacked two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea and declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis has also carried out strikes on Houthi military positions in recent days following attacks on Saudi-linked vessels. The escalation comes amid a wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and their regional allies. US forces launched airstrikes on Iran late Thursday and early Friday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks, although there were no immediate reports of new US strikes on Saturday. Iranian forces responded on Friday by targeting US bases in neighbouring Arab countries, while Tehran warned that buildings used by US personnel could also become targets. The conflict has placed major global energy chokepoints under growing pressure. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for international oil shipments, remains at the centre of the confrontation, while the Houthi blockade of the Red Sea has added another threat to global energy and shipping flows. Brent crude prices rose to around $100 a barrel this week, the highest level since May, amid concerns that prolonged disruption in the region could further affect global oil supplies and fuel inflation. Meanwhile, Pakistan is exploring a possible path to revive stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran, according to Pakistani sources. Exploratory discussions reportedly took place during a visit by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to Islamabad this week, his second trip to Pakistan in 10 days. The post Saudi Arabia Intercepts Two Ballistic Missiles Launched From Yemen appeared first on Khaama Press.