The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said on Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Medina region. Medina is home to the Prophet’s Mosque, also known as Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, one of the holiest religious sites in Islam. Earlier, the coalition had also reported intercepting a drone in the Mecca region.
Meanwhile, according to a police official, the Houthis targeted the presidential palace in Aden with two missiles. A Yemeni government military spokesperson said the group launched ballistic missile attacks on Aden Airport and the Al-Maashiq Presidential Palace complex on Friday. However, the spokesperson did not clarify whether the missiles struck their intended targets. No casualties or other damage were reported.
Two eyewitnesses said they saw ambulances heading towards the presidential palace complex, which houses several buildings. Local residents reported hearing two explosions in the city shortly before the ambulances were seen.
The southern port city of Aden serves as the main base of Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The Houthis drove the government out of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Since fighting intensified again in July, Aden has continued to face repeated attacks.
Before Friday’s missile strikes, the Houthis had also attacked Aden Airport on Wednesday. Ahead of that attack, the group had warned people to evacuate the area. The airport serves as a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid operations in southern Yemen.
The latest developments have also brought renewed attention to security concerns surrounding Saudi Arabia’s two holiest cities. Mecca is home to the Grand Mosque, or Masjid al-Haram, and the Kaaba, while Medina houses the Prophet’s Mosque. Both cities hold immense religious significance for Muslims and receive millions of pilgrims and visitors.
Saudi Arabia has previously accused the Houthis of attempting to attack locations around Mecca and Medina. In September, the Saudi-led coalition claimed it had intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca. According to the coalition, the drone was attempting to enter Mecca’s restricted airspace. It described the incident as the Houthis’ second attempt to target the holy city.
The Houthis have repeatedly rejected allegations that they have attempted to target Mecca or Medina. The group maintains that its military operations are directed exclusively at Saudi military installations and energy infrastructure.
On Friday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree also rejected allegations of a drone attack against Saudi Arabia in a post on X, describing the claims as false. He said the Houthis had not conducted any military operation against Saudi territory. According to him, the group’s attacks had targeted only Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of fabricating false allegations of attacks against its territory, while the Saudi-led coalition maintains that it intercepted the drone over the Medina region. The conflicting claims come amid renewed missile and drone attacks, adding to the security concerns surrounding Aden and the wider region.
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