hostage of the Saudis; or whether they had pressured him to resign as part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on their regional rival, Iran." November 4 - A ballistic missile, the Burquan 2H, is fired by Houthi forces in Yemen; the missile is intercepted over the King Khalid International Airport close to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia alleges that Iran supplied the weapon and terms it an "act of war"; Iran denied the allegation. The Saudi-Iranian dispute raises regional tensions. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, eleven Saudi princes—including billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the world's wealthiest men and a nephew of the king—are arrested on orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who hours earlier had been appointed by the king as the head of a new "anti-corruption committee" with sweeping powers. Four ministers and a number of former ministers are also detained. The purge surprised observers and was widely seen as a bid by the crown prince to consolidate power. November 6 - Investors react poorly to the arrest of Al-Waleed bin Talal, one of the wealthiest men in the world. November 7 - Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of aggression and supporting the Houthis' attempt to launch a ballistic missile into Riyadh. November 9 - Saudi Arabia's attorney general announces that $100 billion was embezzled in recent decades during an anti-corruption crackdown. November 14 - Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, leader of the Lebanon-based Maronite Church, makes a rare visit to Saudi Arabia, where he meets with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit comes at a time of high tension between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. December December 11 - The Saudi government announces plans to license commercial movie theaters, ending a 35-year-ban. Saudi authorities make clear that films allowed to be shown would have to conform to Islamic law. Censorship is expected in films that are allowed to be screened. December 16 - Billionaire businessman Sabih al-Masri, a Saudi citizen of Palestinian origin who is the chairman of the Jordan-based Arab Bank, is detained and questioned by Saudi authorities while traveling in Riyadh. Deaths 14 January – Mohammed bin Faisal Al Saud, royal and businessman (born 1937). 3 May – Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, prince (born 1926) 13 July – Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Prince (born 1931) References 2010s in Saudi Arabia Years of the 21st century in Saudi Arabia Saudi