Saudi Arabia Intercepts Cruise Missile Near Medina as Houthi Attacks Continue

Saudi Arabia's military coalition said on Thursday that it had intercepted a cruise missile targeting the region around Medina, one of Islam's two holiest cities. Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki announced the successful interception on social media, a statement confirmed by Saudi state media.

The Houthis promptly denied they had carried out this attack, claiming their forces had not conducted any operation against Saudi territory that day. The group has previously declared it would not target either Mecca or Medina. However, the Houthis have continued to claim responsibility for strikes elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, as part of an escalating campaign that has included a major attack on Riyadh's international airport.

In a separate development, the Houthis claimed they had shot down a Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jet over Yemen's Saada Governorate, though Saudi authorities made no comment on this assertion. Additionally, Saudi Civil Defense reported that debris from other intercepted Houthi cruise missiles had injured four people, including a child, and damaged fifteen homes in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of increasing tensions in the region, making the already complex conflict increasingly difficult to resolve.