Riyadh, March 18 (Xinhua) — Saudi air defenses intercepted eight ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense. On its X platform, the ministry stated that four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed, and that “parts of a ballistic missile fell near a refinery south of Riyadh.” According to the Argentine News Agency, hours earlier on the same Wednesday, the ministry had indicated that another four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were also intercepted and destroyed, with debris falling in several areas of the capital. Saudi Civil Defense reported that four residents were injured and minor material damage occurred after debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in a residential area of Riyadh. Several explosions were heard throughout the city, and for the first time since the start of the regional conflict, mobile phone alerts were activated for residents of the capital's urban area. The incident occurs amid a regional escalation of tensions following weeks of growing clashes between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.
