Saudi Arabia Downs Two Houthi Ballistic Missiles Aimed at Mecca and Medina

Saudi Civil Defense confirmed Saturday that air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Houthis. The projectiles were tracked toward the regions of Mecca and Medina. Fragments from the intercepts fell in three separate locations: Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh.

The interceptions occurred immediately after the Houthis announced a coordinated assault on Saudi economic targets. The rebel group stated it attacked a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree also claimed strikes 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 sites.

These actions follow a series of attacks reported earlier in the day. The Houthi-linked Saba News Agency cited Yemen’s National Commission for Human Rights. The commission condemned Saudi strikes on the capital of Sanaa, describing a massacre in the Asr neighborhood and a hit on a cement factory in the Hamdan district.

The United States Department of State updated its travel advisory for Israel on Friday. The notice warns of an increased threat from Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and the potential for rapid regional escalation. The overall classification remains at Level 3, which urges American citizens to reconsider travel due to terrorism and unrest. Risk indicators for specific areas of Israel have not changed.

The advisory referenced previous Houthi campaigns against Saudi Arabia. It noted that strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure have previously caused civilian casualties and major travel disruptions.