Houthi Missiles Intercepted Over Saudi Sacred Cities
Debris from the intercepted rockets landed in Jeddah and Taif as Yemen's Houthis claimed strikes on oil and aviation targets.
By David Almasi ·
Yemen's Houthi movement launched two ballistic missiles toward western Saudi Arabia on Saturday, prompting a rapid defensive response. The projectiles were aimed at the regions surrounding the country's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Civil Defense confirmed the interception of both missiles. Debris from the downed weapons fell in multiple locations, specifically Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh. The agency reported that the debris impacted various sites across these areas.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced that the group targeted several strategic sites during the same window. His list included a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery. He also claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Najran airport. An air base in Khamis Mushait was included in the list of targeted locations.
Earlier on Saturday, the Houthi-linked Saba News Agency reported on separate airstrikes in the Yemeni capital. The agency stated that Yemen’s National Commission for Human Rights condemned Saudi strikes in Sanaa. Officials described an incident in the Asr neighborhood as a massacre and noted an attack on a cement factory in the Hamdan district.
The US State Department updated its travel advisory for Israel on Friday, citing an increased threat of armed attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces. The notice warned of potential rapid escalation in regional hostilities. The department referenced previous Houthi strikes on Saudi civilian airports and critical infrastructure that led to casualties and travel disruptions.
Israel's overall travel advisory classification remained at Level 3. This level urges American citizens to reconsider travel due to terrorism and unrest. The existing risk indicators and restrictions on specific areas within the country stayed unchanged following the update.
