Houthis Attack Medina Power Station Serving Prophet's Mosque

The Saudi-led coalition accused Houthi rebels of launching a drone attack on the Taiba power distribution station in Medina on Tuesday. The facility provides electricity to the Prophet's Mosque. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki stated that debris analysis confirmed Houthi involvement in the strike, which he termed a "cowardly terrorist act." While the attack knocked one transformer out of service, it did not disrupt the broader electrical grid.

Houthi sources denied the accusations, calling them a "lie" intended to mask Saudi failures. Despite the denial, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the attack as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and the sanctity of holy sites.

The incident occurred amid a sharp escalation of hostilities. The coalition reported intercepting two ballistic missiles and four drones over Jazan and Khamis Mushait, where falling debris caused limited material damage. In response, the coalition launched a wave of airstrikes against Houthi-held Sanaa and the provinces of Saada, Amran, and Taiz. Simultaneously, Yemeni government forces reported killing 30 Houthi fighters during intense battles in Taiz.

This surge in violence represents the most significant increase in conflict since a 2022 UN-brokered truce. Tensions have risen since July 2026, following Houthi naval blockades and efforts to seize Yemen's Red Sea coast.