(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ISTANBUL – The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Friday that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Houthi rebels toward Saudi Arabia’s Mecca region amid escalating hostilities.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interception in a post on X, identifying the drone as originating from the Iran-aligned Houthi group.
“A drone launched by the Houthi terrorist militia was intercepted and destroyed in the Makkah region,” al-Maliki said.
Earlier Friday, the coalition also reported intercepting and destroying a Houthi cruise missile targeting western Saudi Arabia.
The incidents followed a series of reported attacks between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces as tensions continued to rise in the region.
On Thursday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for six attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities and airports.
The latest exchanges have heightened concerns over regional security, particularly the safety of critical infrastructure and energy facilities.
The Saudi-led coalition has been involved in Yemen’s civil war since March 2015, supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government against the Houthis.
The conflict intensified after Houthi forces seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, triggering a prolonged struggle for control of the country.
