Houthi Missiles Strike Riyadh After WWE Crown Jewel

Riyadh faced a Houthi missile attack hours after WWE Crown Jewel ended in the Saudi Arabian capital. The event started at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday and concluded shortly before 11 p.m. The missiles struck the following morning during rush hour.

Saudi authorities reported that air defenses intercepted the missiles aimed at the capital and other locations. Debris from the interception damaged an office tower of state-owned oil company Aramco in the King Abdullah Financial District. No casualties resulted from the incident.

The Saudi-led coalition stated that two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles were intercepted. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on Riyadh’s financial district and additional targets. The assault took place less than 12 hours after the wrestling event finished.

The entire WWE roster had departed the area before the attack occurred. Most talent had flown into neighboring Bahrain and then traveled by bus to Riyadh. A smaller number used private aircraft for direct flights in and out of the city.

WWE talent arrived back in the United States on Sunday, landing in South Carolina. The Crown Jewel proceeded despite weeks of increased security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The event was relocated from the originally planned Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District to an indoor venue.

The missile strike happened amid rising conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Attacks have occurred nearly every day in Riyadh in recent weeks. Saudi-led forces have maintained ongoing strikes in Yemen.