Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards Mecca and Medina, with debris falling in several locations, including Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
The Iran-backed Houthis denied the claims, saying their operations target Saudi oil facilities and military bases and that they publicly announce such attacks when they occur.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery, crude oil pumping stations and the East-West Pipeline.
He added that the group had also targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.
Earlier, Saudi Civil Defense said debris from intercepted missiles had fallen in the Mecca and Medina regions, home to Islam’s holiest sites, which attract millions of Muslim pilgrims every year. Parts of the intercepted missiles fell in Wadi al-Mughammas in Mecca, while additional debris was reported in parts of Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
Meanwhile, the Houthis renewed their warning against using Riyadh’s international airport, hours after Saudi authorities announced plans to designate two terminals for flights following a suspension earlier this month.
Saree said the airport remained a “military target” and warned that operations against it would continue. He urged airlines, airport staff and travellers to avoid using the facility.
Saudi authorities had announced that Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights, while Terminal 2 would serve international flights operated by Saudi national carriers.
Airport operations were suspended on October 10 following an attack claimed by the Houthis that reportedly killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The incident was described as the deadliest attack in the kingdom in more than a decade.
