The Saudi-led coalition announced the destruction of a cruise missile near Medina and a drone over the kingdom's Eastern province.
Key facts
- •The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a cruise missile over the province of Medina.
- •A drone was destroyed over Saudi Arabia's Eastern province.
- •Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree denied involvement in the missile attack.
- •The Houthi rebel group previously pledged not to target airports in Mecca or Medina.
- •Riyadh's international airport has suspended service due to Houthi attacks.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen reported on Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile targeting the holy city of Medina. Additionally, the coalition stated it destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia's Eastern province, a key oil-producing region. While the coalition did not assign blame for the missile attack, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree denied responsibility for the incident.
Context of the Conflict
The recent escalation between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels follows the rebels' seizure of strategic areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway for Gulf oil shipments. The coalition, which supports forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government, has been working to reclaim these territories. Separately, the international airport in Riyadh has suspended operations due to ongoing Houthi attacks.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ABC News Politics.
