Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claim to have launched a ballistic missile towards Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The attempted strike has yet to be confirmed, Reuters reports. News of the alleged missile launch comes just hours before President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh as part of his first overseas trip as president.
We are on the highway from the airport coming into Riyadh and all is calm, no indication of any missile attack. https://t.co/ui8MjhTofn
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 19, 2017
Backed by Iran, the Houthi rebels have been fighting for control of Yemen since they overthrew the pro-American government in 2014. Saudi Arabia, with the support of several other regional states, began an air assault against the rebels the following year. The coalition later stepped up its efforts with intense ground attacks.
The U.S. has provided intelligence, weaponry, and combat services to aid the Saudi-led coalition’s campaign.
Houthi rebels bombed a Saudi ship in late January. They claimed in February to have struck a military base 25 miles west of the Saudi capital with a ballistic missile. Saudi Arabia said that the strike was unsuccessful.
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