Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Houthi Drone Over Makkah Region
Saudi Arabia reports intercepting a Houthi drone in the Makkah region amid renewed tensions over Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Friday that its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone launched towards Saudi Arabia’s Makkah region.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki announced the interception in a post on X.
“A drone launched by the Houthi terrorist militia was intercepted and destroyed in the Makkah region,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, al-Maliki said coalition air defences had also intercepted and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile targeting western Saudi Arabia.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Targets
The interceptions come amid renewed hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Houthis said on Thursday that they had carried out six attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. They included oil facilities and airports.
However, the coalition’s statements did not provide further details about the drone or missile interceptions.
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The Saudi-led coalition has been involved in Yemen’s conflict since March 2015. It intervened in support of the internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014.
Yemen Investigates Alleged Use of Toxic Substances in Taiz
Separately, Yemen’s armed forces said they were investigating reports that Houthi forces had used projectiles suspected of containing toxic substances in Taiz province.
The Defence Ministry said the alleged incidents had resulted in suspected cases of poisoning and suffocation among civilians and resistance fighters.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said it was taking field reports from the Taiz front seriously. It ordered an urgent investigation to identify the substances, assess their effects and establish who supplied them.
The military also accused Houthi forces of continuing attacks in Taiz. These allegedly include sniper fire, shelling of residential areas and restrictions on roads.
The ministry said the restrictions had obstructed access to water, food, medicine and other essential supplies.
Calls for International Investigation
Yemen’s Defence Ministry warned against attacks on civilians and the use of prohibited means of warfare.
It urged the United Nations and relevant international organisations to investigate the allegations and address reported violations.
The ministry also called for pressure to reopen roads and allow humanitarian assistance to reach civilians without obstruction.
It said the state and its armed forces had a responsibility to protect civilians and work towards ending the siege of Taiz.
The ministry warned that those responsible for attacks against civilians, including their commanders, would face accountability.
Taiz Remains a Major Conflict Flashpoint
Taiz has remained a key battleground in Yemen’s civil war for more than a decade.
Government forces and Houthi fighters have contested control of the strategically located province since 2015. Restrictions on major access routes have contributed to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with government-aligned forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition conducting operations against Houthi positions in Taiz and other provinces.
The latest developments highlight continuing security and humanitarian challenges in Yemen, alongside rising tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
