Saudi air defenses down Houthi projectiles as strikes target Riyadh and west

Saudi air defense forces have intercepted an array of missiles and uncrewed aircraft launched by Yemen's Houthi movement toward several locations across the kingdom, including Riyadh and the holy city of Mecca, according to the Saudi-led military coalition.

The military coalition reported destroying three cruise missiles that were directed toward the Riyadh area, two drones flying toward Mecca and southern regions, and two additional missiles aimed at western Saudi Arabia. Following the incident, Saudi civil defense authorities briefly issued warnings of potential threats in Taif, Yanbu, and Khamis Mushait before later announcing that the immediate danger had passed.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree rejected allegations that the group aimed any drones at Mecca, which is Islam's most sacred city. Saree stated that the movement directs its strikes exclusively against military installations and energy infrastructure. He also claimed that the group struck a pumping station situated in Yanbu, a major oil transport hub that provides an export route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi officials did not confirm any damage or strikes on the Yanbu facility.

The latest wave of strikes represents the second straight day of aerial engagements near Riyadh, following the coalition's downing of a ballistic missile and a cruise missile on Tuesday. The Iran-aligned militia, which controls most of Yemen's primary population centers, has stepped up its cross-border operations, describing them as retaliation for Saudi military action in Yemen. Over the weekend, a Houthi strike inflicted damage on an Aramco office building located in Riyadh's financial district.

Hostilities between the coalition and Houthi fighters have escalated significantly since September, triggered by Houthi movements toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping channel at the entrance of the Red Sea. In response to expanding Houthi strikes against airports, seaports, and petroleum sites, Saudi Arabia has intensified its aerial bombardment of targets inside Yemen. The conflict previously turned deadly for civilians last month when an assault on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport resulted in 13 deaths and injured more than 300 individuals.