RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 21, 2026 (Net) – The Saudi-led coalition
fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Wednesday it had intercepted five drones
launched towards the kingdom, including in the Medina region home to one of
Islam’s holiest cities.
“Four drones launched towards the kingdom have been intercepted and
destroyed,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X, adding in a
second post that the interceptions took place in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern
region as well as Medina.
Al-Malki, who did not specify who was behind the launches, later said another
drone had been intercepted, also in the Eastern region.
The Houthis denied having targeted the kingdom, with military spokesman Yahya
Saree saying their forces had not carried out any “deep” operations in Saudi
territory.
Saudi Arabia has this month come under sustained attack from the Iran-backed
Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh’s international airport that was the
kingdom’s deadliest in years, as the war with the group escalates.
Medina, the burial place of the Prophet Mohammed and home to the Prophet’s
Mosque, is one of Islam’s holiest cities alongside Mecca, both of which the
Houthis have promised to spare.
