The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen announced on Friday that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group towards Saudi Arabia’s Mecca region.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interception in a statement posted on X, saying the drone had been destroyed before reaching its intended destination.
Earlier on Friday, al-Maliki also reported that coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile targeting western Saudi Arabia.
The latest interceptions come amid intensifying hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, with both sides reporting a series of military operations in recent days.
On Thursday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for six attacks against targets inside Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities and airports.
The claims regarding the attacks have not been independently verified.
Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition in Yemen since March 2015, supporting the country’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis, who seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014.
The renewed attacks have heightened concerns over security in the region, particularly around critical infrastructure and civilian facilities.