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RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed five drones launched towards Saudi Arabia, including in the Eastern and Medina regions, amid escalating hostilities across the region.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki announced the interceptions in posts on X, initially saying that four drones heading towards the kingdom had been intercepted and destroyed. He said the operations took place in the Eastern region and Medina, without specifying the intended targets or identifying those responsible for the launches.
Al-Malki later announced that another drone had been intercepted in the Eastern region, bringing the reported total to five.
The Houthi movement denied targeting Saudi Arabia. Its military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the group’s forces had not conducted any “deep” operations inside Saudi territory, rejecting suggestions that the latest drone interceptions were linked to its military activities.
The competing statements left the origin and intended targets of the drones unclear.
The reported interceptions came amid heightened regional tensions and a series of attacks involving Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia has faced sustained attacks this month as hostilities involving the Houthis have intensified. The reported strikes have raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure, including airports and other strategic facilities, as well as the potential for the conflict to spread further across the region.
The reported drone activity in Medina has drawn particular attention because the city is home to the Prophet’s Mosque and is one of Islam’s holiest sites, alongside Mecca. Medina is also the burial
