Houthis deny targeting holy Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina
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Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement on Saturday denied Saudi statements that its forces had targeted the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, claiming its military operations target Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
In a statement, the Houthis, who refer to themselves as the “Yemeni Armed Forces,” described the Saudi statements as “a grave and blatant falsehood” and said the group announces its operations when they take place.
Saudi Arabia reports missile interceptions
Saudi authorities said on Saturday that air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles launched toward the Mecca and Medina regions, with debris falling in several locations, including Mecca, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government separately said it had intercepted missiles targeting Taif and Yanbu.
The latest developments come amid renewed cross-border attacks attributed to the Houthis and escalating regional hostilities.
Saudi Arabia has accused the movement of attempting to target the holy cities on previous occasions, including incidents reported in September.
The movement has controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other parts of the country since 2014.
Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen’s conflict in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.
A period of relative calm under a UN-brokered truce beginning in 2022 has since given way to renewed fighting.
