Yemeni Army Claims 700 Operations as Missiles Reach Saudi Holy Cities

Two ballistic missiles landed near Mecca and Medina on Saturday, marking a new escalation in the Yemen conflict. Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency confirmed the launches and warned of falling shrapnel after intercepting the projectiles. Images from the Saudi Press Agency showed a large, blackened missile-shaped object resting on Saudi soil. The strikes occurred as Houthi forces simultaneously targeted facilities in Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The Transport Ministry condemned the attack on Aden International Airport, identifying it as the fourth missile incident at the facility this month. Officials stated that two missiles hit the airport, threatening civil aviation safety and impacting citizens who rely on the site for travel. Yemeni authorities reported that the coastguard headquarters and another building were also struck during the assault. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for hitting the al-Nasr camp and the naval military base in Aden.

Hostilities have intensified since a fragile ceasefire agreed upon in 2022 collapsed in July. The Houthis have used long-range strikes to target Saudi energy infrastructure and airports across the kingdom. In Sanaa, a Houthi missile malfunctioned on Friday, crashing into a family home and killing three people. The Yemeni army noted that this incident was part of a series of malfunctions from the Iran-backed group in recent weeks. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that Saudi coalition airstrikes killed several civilians in Sanaa and Hodeidah on Saturday, though Riyadh has not formally commented on the raids.

Houthi leaders disputed the Saudi report that their missiles aimed at Mecca and Medina. They described the claim as a huge lie, stating that their intended targets were three Saudi airports, oil infrastructure, and an airbase. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, called the attacks heinous in a statement. He said the strikes showed a blatant disregard for the lives and security of civilians.

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a Yemeni army spokesman, said government forces conducted more than 700 targeting operations over the previous 24 hours. He claimed these operations neutralized 300 Houthi fighters and disabled military vehicles, though independent verification was not possible. The operations focused on field command centres, Houthi gatherings, weapons depots, and supply lines in Taiz. Intense clashes have persisted in that region for days.

The military spokesman added that the fighting continues along Yemen’s front lines. Government troops are battling Houthi forces for control of key areas. The high volume of operations reported on Saturday reflects the sustained pressure both sides are applying in the current phase of the conflict.