Saudi air defences repel Houthi missile and drone assault near Mecca

Saudi Arabia's air defence systems successfully intercepted multiple missiles and drones fired by Houthi forces near Mecca on Monday, according to military statements. The attack marks the latest in a series of cross-border strikes by the Iranian-backed rebel group against the kingdom, which has led a military coalition in Yemen's civil war since 2015.

The Houthis have increasingly targeted Saudi territory with unmanned aircraft and ballistic missiles, testing the kingdom's defensive capabilities and drawing international concern over regional stability. Saudi air defences have consistently neutralized such attacks, though the frequency and sophistication of strikes have grown over recent months.

The escalation of Houthi attacks coincides with fierce ground combat in Yemen, particularly around the strategic port city of Taiz. The province has endured a grinding siege and intense fighting between government forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi-aligned militias, creating what humanitarian organizations describe as a severe humanitarian emergency affecting millions of civilians.

The Houthis have framed their attacks as retaliation for Saudi military operations in Yemen, though regional analysts view the strikes as part of a broader strategic campaign by Tehran-aligned forces to destabilize the Arabian Peninsula. The situation underscores the deepening conflict dynamics in Yemen and the challenge of containing regional tensions.