Saudi Coalition Intercepts Houthi Missiles as Yemen Offensive Intensifies

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed a series of Houthi drones and missiles targeting several regions of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Makkah, and the Southern and Western provinces. Major General Turki Al-Malki reported that air defenses destroyed two ballistic missiles headed for Riyadh and one in the Eastern Region on Thursday. While the missiles were intercepted, falling shrapnel in Riyadh caused material damage to a house and a vehicle and resulted in a minor injury to one citizen. On Friday morning, the coalition further intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone in the Mecca region.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied targeting the holy city of Mecca, calling the coalition's claims a "massive and egregious fabrication." Saree asserted that Houthi operations focus exclusively on Saudi military and energy infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the Government of Yemen launched the "Dawn of Yemen" offensive. Military spokesman Col. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili reported that government forces neutralized approximately 336 Houthi fighters and destroyed 112 military vehicles through 1,087 strikes. Intense fighting continues in the provinces of Al-Jawf, Marib, and Taiz, where residential neighborhoods have experienced heavy shelling.