On November 11, Saudi Arabia activated its air defense and intercepted missiles and drones launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh, Mecca, and other areas. These developments occur amid escalating tensions between the Iran-backed Houthi group and Saudi Arabia.
Details of the Attacks
The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, which is at war with the Houthi group in Yemen, announced that it successfully intercepted and destroyed three cruise missiles fired towards the Riyadh area, two drones aimed at Mecca and southern regions, and two other missiles targeted towards the west.
Read more: Bahrain: Oil tanker targeted in Omani waters
Mecca, which hosts sacred sites for Muslims around the world, is recognized as the holiest city in Islam and the focal point of the annual Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. This city is always under intense attention and protection.
Houthi Response
Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, denied targeting Mecca with drones following these attacks and emphasized that the group's operations are focused solely on oil facilities and military bases. He also announced that the Houthis attacked a pumping station in Yanbu, one of Saudi Arabia's key oil centers. However, Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm this claim.
The Saudi Civil Defense Organization issued warnings about potential danger in the cities of Taif, Yanbu, and Khamis Mushait on Wednesday, subsequently announcing that the threat had been lifted.
The Houthi group, which controls most of Yemen's populated areas, has recently increased its attacks on the Saudi capital and stated that these actions are a response to Saudi attacks in Yemen. For instance, the Houthi attack on an Aramco office building in the financial center of Riyadh on Sunday caused damage.
These interceptions come as Saudi Arabia has successfully intercepted Houthi missiles fired towards Riyadh for the second consecutive day. The coalition also announced that it intercepted a ballistic missile and a cruise missile on Tuesday.
Last month, a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Since September, clashes between the two sides have intensified, and the Houthis have advanced towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic point at the southern entrance of the Red Sea.
Since then, the Houthi group has intensified its attacks on airports, ports, and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia has responded to these attacks by increasing its airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
Read more: Maritime incident off the coast of Oman · Houthi attacks on the financial district of Riyadh and damage to the Aramco tower
