Saudi coalition says missile intercepted in Medina region, Houthis deny it

The Saudi-led military coalition said on Thursday it intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile in the Medina region of Saudi Arabia, home to one of Islam’s holiest cities.

The Houthis, whom the coalition has fought in Yemen since 2015, denied carrying out any such attack.

What did the coalition say about the missile intercepted in the Medina region?

Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki announced the interception on X, writing: “Interception and destruction of a cruise missile in the Medina region.”

State media also published the statement. The Houthis quickly denied targeting the region on Thursday, saying they had previously vowed to spare the holy cities of Medina and Mecca.

How did the Houthis respond to the Medina claim?

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree wrote on X on Thursday: “The Yemeni armed forces confirm that they have not carried out any operation today targeting Saudi territory, and that the Saudi enemy’s claims of an attack on Medina are a shameless and brazen lie.”

The Houthis have vowed to continue targeting airports and other sites across Saudi Arabia. On Sunday, however, they said Mecca and Medina would be spared. Medina is the burial place of the Prophet Mohammed and home to the Prophet’s Mosque, and ranks alongside Mecca as one of Islam’s holiest cities.

What is happening in the Saudi-Houthi war?

Saudi Arabia has come under sustained attack from the Houthis in recent days as the war with the group escalates. That included a strike on Riyadh’s international airport, the kingdom’s deadliest in years. Riyadh has hit back with strikes against the Iran-backed group’s stronghold in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

On Wednesday the Houthis said they had targeted facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco. Saudi officials reported a strike on a building in an area housing the energy giant’s operations center.

The Saudi-led coalition has supported Yemen’s government militarily against the Houthis since 2015 in a long-running civil war that has created a humanitarian crisis.