WorldWORLD WATCH

Drones reach Riyadh as Saudi defenses face questions

Saudi forces say the drones were destroyed before causing damage, but NBC News asks why a vast American-built arsenal isn't stopping Houthi attacks; the region watches.

On air: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:21 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Riyadh — Photo: B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Breitbart: “Bombs Fly over Riyadh as Houthi Assault on Saudi Arabia Continues”, with reporting from NBC News.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 3:21 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Saudi Arabia, Houthi, Riyadh, US.
BBN covered this story before: Trump denounces Houthi attacks as coalition intercepts missiles (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BreitbartBombs Fly over Riyadh as Houthi Assault on Saudi Arabia Continues
NBC NewsWhy advanced U.S. weapons aren’t stopping Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSaudi Arabia's armed forces say armed drones attacked Riyadh today, and they were reportedly destroyed before causing any damage.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBreitbart says the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen are presumed to be behind it, which takes the standoff over oil facilities we reported this morning into the capital.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd the Saudis have American warplanes and missile defenses. Why are these attacks still getting through?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's the question NBC News is asking this afternoon, about one of the world's most expensive and sophisticated arsenals.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorExpensive and sophisticated, and still the story is how it's holding up.