The latest:
A drone was intercepted and destroyed over the Mecca region, coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said Friday, blaming Houthi forces hours after two ballistic missiles were brought down over Riyadh. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, denied any operation toward Saudi depth. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman spent the day on calls with Western defense ministers and NATO’s secretary-general.
Details:
- The interceptions: Al-Malki announced three separate intercepts, according to Al Arabiya Net: two ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, a cruise missile aimed at the Western Region, and the drone over the Mecca region. Saudi Civil Defense reported one citizen lightly injured and damage to a home and a vehicle from falling debris.
- The denial: Saree wrote on X that the group carried out no operation toward Saudi depth, saying its strikes target Saudi oil facilities and military bases. Reuters noted the Houthis have repeatedly denied targeting Mecca and Medina and rejected earlier coalition accusations of launching drones toward the two cities.
- The diplomacy: Prince Khalid bin Salman held calls with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Spain’s Margarita Robles, Canada’s David McGuinty and NATO’s secretary-general, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Talks covered bilateral military ties, defense cooperation and coordination on regional developments.
- The condemnations: SPA said the Saudi and Canadian ministers both condemned Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The call with Robles addressed close defense cooperation and ways to expand it, alongside paths to regional security and stability. No new agreements or deliveries were announced.
- The Tehran track: The calls follow high-level security talks held in Iran bringing together the Iranian president and the national security council secretary with officials from the Mecca Pact for Joint Defense, including the Saudi defense minister, Turkey’s intelligence chief and Pakistan’s army commander.
- Yemen’s fronts: A Yemeni government forces spokesman claimed 749 precision strikes against the Houthis in 24 hours, saying they neutralized 239 Houthi commanders and fighters and destroyed 117 vehicles, as government forces press the operation they named Yemen Dawn.
- Ground fighting: Houthi forces attacked al-Maqatira district in Lahj province from two directions, with local sources telling Al Jazeera Net the assault followed large reinforcements and aims at advancing toward Tur al-Baha. Government forces said they repelled attacks in Taiz and struck Houthi positions in Jabal Habashi and Mokha.
- Toxic shells claim: The Yemeni armed forces said they received field reports from Taiz fronts of Houthi shells suspected of containing toxic substances, with civilians and resistance members suffering choking and fainting. They said they are treating reports of poison gas use seriously.
- Aden and Najran: The Houthis struck Aden International Airport twice in one day, disrupting operations there. In Najran, Saudi Civil Defense issued an early warning through the national emergency alert platform, then declared the danger over without specifying its nature.
Background:
The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia targeting military installations, airports and energy infrastructure. Riyadh has paired its military response with the Mecca Pact for Joint Defense, a framework linking it with Turkey and Pakistan.
Between the lines:
The pattern of the day points one way: Riyadh is working two tracks at once. Calls to Berlin, Madrid, Ottawa and NATO build Western political cover and deterrence, while the Tehran meeting with Mecca Pact officials keeps a de-escalation channel open with the Houthis’ main backer. Both moves land as the group publicly denies the strike the coalition attributes to it.
What’s next
Watch whether the Houthis respond to the toxic-shell allegations, whether any Western capital converts the calls into announced defense support, and whether further intercepts are reported over Riyadh or the Western Region.
