Riyadh Missile Attack: Houthi Ballistic Missile Intercepted Over Saudi Arabia

GettyImages-892713672 — art of the guidance system to an Iranian Qiam Ballistic Missile is seen on display after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unveiled previously classified information intending to prove Iran violated UNSCR 2231 by providing the Houthi rebels in Yemen with arms during a press conference at Joint Base Anacostia in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2017. Haley said Thursday that a missile fired by Huthi militants at Saudi Arabia last month had been made in Iran. 'It was made in Iran then sent to Huthi militants in Yemen,' Haley said of the missile Jim Watson/AFP/GETTY

Saudi Arabian forces claimed they intercepted a ballistic missile headed for their capital Riyadh. The missile was fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels Tuesday. The violence could heat up a Middle East rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting [the] south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time,” said the state-run Center for International Communication on Twitter.

The missile caused no damage and there were no casualties, according to Reuters.

Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam said that the missile was aimed at al-Yamama royal palace in Riyadh. The palace is home to the king’s office and the royal court.

This is the third missile fired at Saudi Arabia from Houthis in Yemen since November. At the beginning of November, Saudi Arabia said that they intercepted a missile headed for Riyadh Airport, but some experts expressed doubt over whether it was actually intercepted.

Civil war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and a government backed by the Saudis is seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. At least 10,000 people have died in the war, according to Al Jazeera.

Last week the U.S. presented remnants of one of the missiles that fell over Saudi Arabia, claiming it was made with Iranian parts and accused the country of violating United Nations resolutions. Iran has denied supplying weapons to the Houthis.