Riyadh, Oct 21 (V7N) – The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday it had intercepted five drones launched towards the kingdom, including in the Medina region home to one of Islam's holiest cities.
"Four drones launched towards the kingdom have been intercepted and destroyed," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X, adding in a second post that the interceptions took place in Saudi Arabia's Eastern region as well as Medina. Al-Malki, who did not specify who was behind the launches, later said another drone had been intercepted, also in the Eastern region.
The Houthis denied having targeted the kingdom, with military spokesman Yahya Saree saying their forces had not carried out any "deep" operations in Saudi territory.
Saudi Arabia has this month come under sustained attack from the Iran-backed Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh's international airport that was the kingdom's deadliest in years, as the war with the group escalates. Medina, the burial place of the Prophet Mohammed and home to the Prophet's Mosque, is one of Islam's holiest cities alongside Mecca, both of which the Houthis have promised to spare.
The interception of drones over Medina marks a significant escalation, as the Houthis have previously stated they would not target the holy cities. The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with the Houthis having launched repeated drone and missile strikes on Saudi infrastructure, including oil facilities and airports, since the collapse of a years-long truce. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. The conflict has disrupted global energy supplies and shipping in the Red Sea, with the Houthis imposing a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and seizing territory around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
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