Saudi Arabia down Houthi missiles near holy cities

Residents of western Saudi Arabia faced debris from intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Saturday, with impacts recorded in Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh. Saudi Civil Defense confirmed the interception of two projectiles aimed at the Mecca and Medina regions. This event followed a coordinated Houthi assault on Saudi economic and logistical targets.

Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on critical infrastructure, including a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group also targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Najran airport. An air base in Khamis Mushait was also included in the list of struck sites.

The strikes occurred as Yemen’s National Commission for Human Rights condemned Saudi military actions in Sanaa. Houthi-linked Saba News Agency reported a “massacre” in the Asr neighborhood and damage to a cement factory in the Hamdan district. These civilian complaints coincide with the new round of ballistic missile launches toward the Saudi Peninsula.

The US State Department updated its travel advisory for Israel on Friday, citing an increased threat from Iran-backed Houthi terrorists. The notice warns of potential rapid escalation in regional hostilities. Although the overall classification remains at Level 3, the update specifically highlights previous Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian airports and critical infrastructure that caused travel disruptions and casualties.