Riyadh, MINA – The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Friday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched toward Saudi Arabia’s Mecca region, while the Houthi group denied carrying out any attack against Saudi territory, according to Anadolu Agency.
“A drone launched by the Houthi terrorist militia was intercepted and destroyed in the Makkah region,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki wrote on X.
However, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement on Telegram that the group had not conducted any military operation targeting Saudi territory on Friday.
Saree described the Saudi coalition’s claim of intercepting a drone over Mecca as false.
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The competing statements came after al-Maliki announced earlier Friday that coalition air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile allegedly targeting western Saudi Arabia.
The developments follow a series of reported military operations between the two sides in recent days.
On Thursday, the Houthis announced that they had carried out six attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities and airports.
The Saudi-led coalition has been involved in Yemen’s conflict since March 2015, supporting the internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014.
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The conflict has devastated Yemen and contributed to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition conducting military operations against the Houthis, while the group has carried out cross-border attacks targeting Saudi territory and infrastructure.
Iran has also been accused by Saudi Arabia and other countries of supporting the Houthis, allegations Tehran has denied.
The latest exchange of statements highlights the continuing tensions between the parties, with the Saudi coalition reporting an intercepted drone while the Houthis reject responsibility for its launch.
The Mecca region carries particular religious significance as it includes Islam’s holiest city. Claims of military activity in the area therefore have implications beyond the immediate security confrontation.[]
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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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