A missile launched at Saudi Arabia's capital by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels was intercepted on Saturday night.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government said the ballistic missile was destroyed before it could threaten Riyadh.
The coalition said it also destroyed five explosive-laden drones launched from Houthi territory.
One was sent towards the port town of Jazan, close to the border with Yemen, and three were headed towards Khamis Mushait, about 234 kilometres north of Jazan, state television reported.
Another drone was intercepted on Sunday morning, coalition spokesman Brig Gen Turki Al Malki said.
"These acts of aggression to deliberately and systematically target civilians and civilian objects by the terrorist Houthi militia amount to war crimes," he said
The US embassy in Riyadh issued a warning to Americans, calling on them to “stay alert in case of additional future attacks”.
Flight-tracking websites showed several flights scheduled to land at the international airport in Riyadh were diverted or delayed in the hour after the attack.
The assault came as Saudi Arabia hosts a Formula E Championship event on the outskirts of Riyadh.
State-owned Al Ekhbariya television tweeted a video showing what it said was the moment the missile was intercepted.
Video of the incident appears to show a missile – possibly a Patriot interceptor – striking a Houthi missile.
The latest PAC-3 variant of the Patriot can travel up to four times the speed of sound, which is about 5,000 kilometres per hour.
While it has not yet been confirmed that this was the variant used, the interception unleashed a huge amount of energy and white-hot debris is visible.
Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Al Ekhbariya television said.
The rebels have increased their attacks in recent weeks despite heightened international efforts to end Yemen's six-year civil war.
On Friday, the coalition reported intercepting and destroying two Houthi drones and a ballistic missile launched at the kingdom.
The UAE condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying they showed the regional risk posed by the rebels and provide "new evidence of these militias' attempts to undermine security and stability in the region".
"The security of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and any threat facing the Kingdom is considered by the Emirates a threat to its security and stability," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia's neighbours Bahrain and Kuwait also condemned the attacks, with Kuwait renewing its call to the UN Security Council to curb the escalation of Houthi military actions.
The GCC Secretary General Nayraf Al Hajraf said the continued "terrorist attacks" by the Houthis was a blatant challenge to the international community.
The Houthis on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attacks and threatened to launch more.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the attacks "put innocent lives at risk, and show that those responsible are not serious about peace, let alone protecting the Yemeni people".
The Houthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the kingdom even after the US delisted the rebels as terrorists, reversing a decision by the administration of former president Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden also halted US support for offensive operations against the rebels in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that has to end, while reiterating US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
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Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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