Saudi Air Defense Intercepts Two Houthi Ballistic Missiles Targeting Mecca and Medina

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense announced on Saturday that it successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi movement. The projectiles were directed toward the regions surrounding Mecca and Medina. Debris from the interceptions fell in three distinct locations: Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh.

The military action coincided with a Houthi claim of simultaneous attacks on Saudi infrastructure. The group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that forces targeted a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery. Saree also listed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Najran airport as strike locations. An air base in Khamis Mushait was included in the list of targeted sites.

Earlier on Saturday, the Houthi-linked Saba News Agency reported that Yemen’s National Commission for Human Rights condemned Saudi strikes on the Yemeni capital. The commission described an attack on a cement factory in the Hamdan district of Sanaa Governorate. It also referred to a "massacre" in the Asr neighborhood of Sanaa.

The United States State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Israel on Friday. The notice warned American citizens of an increased threat of armed attacks by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists. Officials cited previous Houthi strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, which caused civilian casualties and travel disruptions.

The advisory maintained Israel's overall travel classification at Level 3. This level urges citizens to reconsider travel due to terrorism and unrest. The existing risk indicators and restrictions for specific areas of the country remained unchanged. The update specifically noted the potential for a rapid escalation of regional hostilities.