The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a barrage of projectiles fired from Yemen that targeted several cities across Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Saudi Civil Defence reported that shrapnel from two intercepted ballistic missiles fell in Jeddah, Taif, Rabigh, and Wadi Al-Mughammas in Mecca province.
Authorities examined fragments of the two ballistic missiles fired towards Mecca and Medina. A drone and a ballistic missile were also intercepted over the capital, Riyadh, during the attacks that began on Saturday evening.
By midday on Sunday, coalition forces intercepted a cruise missile targeting Khamis Mushait, while warning sirens sounded across Taif and Jazan. In total, coalition forces intercepted 10 ballistic missiles directed at the southern region of the kingdom.
Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned the strikes as a grave violation of the sanctity of holy sites. He described the actions as a provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide, referencing the interceptions in Mecca, home of the Kaaba and Masjid al-Haram. The Houthis denied targeting Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom has faced repeated waves of missile and drone attacks in recent weeks targeting both civilian and military infrastructure. Riyadh announced late Saturday that international flights from King Khalid International Airport would resume from Terminal 2 on Sunday, while Terminal 1 was designated for domestic flights. The measure followed a temporary suspension of flights after previous strikes, including an October 10 attack that killed 13 people and wounded hundreds.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned civilians away from the Riyadh airport early Sunday. Saree stated that the facility was not safe because it functioned as a military target and renewed warnings to airlines, employees, and travellers. He also announced seven operations targeting Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
Yemen has been in conflict since Houthi forces captured the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, forcing the government to flee south. Fighting intensified after government forces attacked Sanaa International Airport to prevent a Houthi delegation from arriving from Tehran. The Houthis launched a surprise offensive in September, capturing Yemen’s western coast, including the city of Mocha.
Forces aligned with the internationally recognised government launched Operation Dawn of Yemen on October 5 to retake lost territories. Yemen’s armed forces stated on Sunday that the military carried out 736 strikes on Houthi positions over the preceding 24 hours. The operations resulted in 307 people being neutralised and the destruction of 68 military vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Rasd Organization for Rights and Freedoms warned of a severe humanitarian crisis in Taiz, which is under a Houthi siege. The rights group stated that about 1,110 kidney failure patients face grave risks due to a shortage of dialysis supplies. The city requires about 120 dialysis sessions daily, alongside supplies for 192 patients in intensive care units and 154 children in incubators, following the siege imposed on October 4.
