Saudi coalition says intercepted five drones in Eastern, Medina regions

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday it had intercepted five drones launched towards the kingdom, including in the Medina region home to one of Islam's holiest cities.

"Four drones launched toward the Kingdom have been intercepted and destroyed," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X, adding in a second post that the interceptions took place in Saudi Arabia's Eastern region as well as Medina.

Al-Malki, who did not specify who was behind the launches, later said another drone had been intercepted, also in the Eastern region.

Saudi Arabia has this month come under sustained attack from the Iran-backed Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh's international airport that was the kingdom's deadliest in years, as the war with the group escalates.

Medina, the burial place of the Prophet Mohammed and home to the Prophet's Mosque, is one of Islam's holiest cities alongside Mecca, both of which the Houthis have promised to spare.

Houthis said that they have not launched any drones ‌towards the Saudi holy city of Medina ​on Wednesday ⁠and have not conducted any ‌military operations towards Saudi ‌Arabia either, denying earlier comments from the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

The comments by the ‌Iran-aligned group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree follow the coalition ⁠saying that it had intercepted drones over Medina and the Eastern region.

Agencies