Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authorities have said they intercepted two ballistic missiles allegedly launched towards Mecca and Medina, while Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group has denied targeting the two holy cities.
The conflicting claims have prompted heightened security alerts across several regions of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Saturday, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence Directorate said debris from the two intercepted missiles had fallen at several locations in the Mecca and Medina regions.
The debris reportedly landed in Wadi Mughmas outside Mecca, the Al-Nuzha area of Jeddah, Wadi Jalil in Taif and an uninhabited area in Rabigh. Authorities did not provide details of any casualties or damage.
The Houthis, however, rejected allegations that they had fired missiles towards Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities.
Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesperson, said claims that Houthi forces had targeted the holy sites were entirely false.
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi civil defence authorities issued warnings about potential danger in four western provinces, including the Mecca region. Residents were instructed to move to the nearest safe location, although officials did not specify the reason for the alerts.
Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed to have carried out attacks on several strategic sites in Saudi Arabia between Friday and Saturday. The group said its targets included three airports, two oil facilities, an oil transport pipeline and an airbase.
Saree claimed that two waves of attacks had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. He also said airports in Dammam and Najran, along with the Khamis Mushait airbase in southern Saudi Arabia, had been targeted.
The renewed tensions have raised concerns that Yemen’s prolonged conflict could escalate again. A United Nations-mediated truce in 2022 had helped substantially reduce cross-border attacks between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis control the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country.
The latest missile allegations, claims of attacks on strategic infrastructure and conflicting statements have heightened fears of a broader confrontation. Any further threats to Saudi Arabia’s major airports and energy infrastructure could have wider implications for regional security and stability.