Saudi coalition says it intercepted Houthi missile fired toward Medina region
The Saudi-led coalition said on Thursday that its air defence destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the Medina region. The announcement came shortly after a civil defence warning about possible danger around the port of Yanbu.
- The Saudi-led coalition said a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at the Medina region was intercepted on Thursday.
- Saudi civil defence had earlier warned of potential danger around Yanbu.
- It is unclear whether the two events were connected.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Thursday that it intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward the Medina region of Saudi Arabia. Medina is one of Islam's holiest cities. Arab News and France 24 reported the announcement.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said: "Air defence intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the Medina region." The reports gave no details of damage or casualties.
According to France 24, the announcement came shortly after Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency warned of potential danger around the strategic Red Sea port of Yanbu. The agency said: "A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Yanbu Governorate to alert of a potential danger." France 24 said it was unclear whether the missile interception and the warning were connected.
France 24 also noted that the Houthis have repeatedly said their forces would not target the holy cities of Mecca or Medina in their campaign against the kingdom. That campaign has included attacks on airports, energy infrastructure and military sites, and the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Yanbu in recent months.
Yanbu is the terminus of the East-West Pipeline, which allows Saudi oil to bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. According to France 24, the port and pipeline have played a key role since the outbreak of the Middle East war in helping Riyadh ship crude and fuel to global markets.
Arab News described the incident as another episode in the ongoing conflict between the Houthi movement and the coalition. The reports did not say how the Houthis responded to the coalition's statement.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 2 November that the coalition said its air defences destroyed a ballistic missile aimed at southern Saudi Arabia. On 3 November it reported intensified fighting between Houthi and Yemeni government forces around Taiz.
Why it matters
Many Pakistani workers live in the Gulf region, and missile fire reaching Saudi cities is a concern for them and their families at home. Medina is a city of deep religious importance for Muslims in Pakistan, including pilgrims who travel there. Yanbu's role in moving Saudi crude and fuel to world markets also matters to Pakistan, which saw petrol at Rs362 per litre and diesel at Rs387.81 on 4 November, according to khabr.pk records.
