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Missile debris falls in Mecca, Medina after Saudi intercepts Houthi strikes; rebel group denies attack
According to Saudi Civil Defence, the debris fell in several locations, including Jeddah and Rabigh. Some shrapnel also landed in Wadi Mughamas, outside Mecca.
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Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence said on Saturday it intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthis toward the Mecca and Medina regions. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, however, denied targeting the holy cities, terming Saudi's allegation as “great and huge lie.”
According to Saudi Civil Defence, the debris fell in several locations, including Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh. Some shrapnel also landed in Wadi Mughamas, outside Mecca. "Civil defence in the Mecca and Medina regions began to respond to the falling debris from the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Houthi militia," it said in a post on X.
Later, the Iran-backed rebel group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, refuted reports of attacking Mecca and Medina. "What the Saudi enemy is promoting about our forces targeting towards the holy areas of Mecca and Medina is a great and huge lie," Saree was quoted as saying by AFP.
Houthis claim attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports
Deep Dive
Yemen’s Houthi group said it launched attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports on Saturday, including a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group also targeted an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.
Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported attacks.
Saudi Arabia issues emergency alerts
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Civil Defence issued emergency warnings over potential aerial threats in Mecca Province and the governorates of Jeddah, Taif and Yanbu.
The agency later announced that the potential danger had passed in the affected areas.
In posts on X, Civil Defence urged residents to follow safety instructions, avoid gatherings and refrain from filming incidents. It also advised people to call 911 in an emergency.
The alerts came amid reports of missile interceptions and claims of attacks by the Houthis against Saudi targets.
Also Read: Epstein files become new weapon in Houthis’ campaign against Saudi Arabia: Report
Flights cancelled
Air India and Air India Express on Saturday extended the cancellation of their flights connecting Riyadh and Dammam till November 7.
"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 7 November 2026, while services to and from Jeddah will remain suspended until 31 October 2026," Air India said in a post on X.
IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled their services to Saudi Arabian cities.
