The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles as two pilots die in helicopter crash
The coalition blamed a technical fault for the crash and said it intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Two pilots were killed when their AH-6i reconnaissance helicopter crashed in Saudi territory in the Najran area, the Saudi-led coalition said, attributing the loss to a technical malfunction.
The incident occurred near the border with Yemen and marks the first military fatalities since hostilities restarted in July, following a four-year truce.
In the same period, the coalition reported intercepting and destroying two ballistic missiles launched toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia, according to a statement on X by the coalition spokesman.
Saudi Civil Defence issued potential danger alerts for Riyadh and the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, later stating that the danger had passed through its national early warning system.
Earlier on Saturday, coalition forces reported intercepting and destroying four drones over the Riyadh region, the Eastern Province, and southern Saudi Arabia, along with footage it released of strikes destroying two ballistic missile launchers in Saada, northern Yemen.
The developments come as the coalition continues air operations in Houthi territory, with the Houthis previously hitting Saudi targets including vessels in the Red Sea and oil facilities, and an attack on Riyadh's international airport.