Rabat – Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile in the Medina area on Thursday.
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-backed coalition, announced the interception. The incident came as Saudi Arabia issued warning alerts for the southern regions of Najran and Jazan before later announcing that the danger had passed.
However, Yemen’s Houthi armed group denied carrying out any attacks on Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Its military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, made the announcement shortly after the coalition reported intercepting the missile.
The latest developments follow a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi territory, including civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.
A Tuesday attack targeted the headquarters of Saudi oil giant Aramco in Dhahran, causing a fire but no reported injuries, according to Saudi authorities.
Hassan Jouni, a former Lebanese army brigadier-general, told Al Jazeera that the reported targeting of Dhahran, around 1,200 kilometers from Houthi-controlled territory, demonstrated the group’s growing ability to reach targets deep inside Saudi Arabia.
The escalation has also disrupted travel. Japan has advised against nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia, while Australia and New Zealand have issued updated warnings over security risks. Australia has also advised against travel to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The European Council on Thursday condemned Houthi attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. It also called on the group to stop attacks on civilian vessels threatening maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Meanwhile, the conflict is worsening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. More than 200,000 people have been displaced in recent weeks as fighting disrupts food and fuel supplies, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Alison Bottomley, an advocacy manager at the organization, told Al Jazeera that shifting front lines in Taiz were cutting off civilians and preventing essential supplies from reaching affected areas.
Food prices have reportedly risen by 50% in some parts of Taiz, while flour supplies could run out within weeks. Fuel shortages are also threatening access to water and medical services.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israeli forces continued attacks on southern areas. The country’s National News Agency reported artillery shelling in Jarmaq, al-Mansouri, and Majdal Zoun, as well as an Israeli air raid targeting Kfar Tebnit.
Elsewhere, an Israeli drone strike in the as-Saftawi area north of Gaza City killed one Palestinian and wounded several others, according to health and emergency sources cited by Al Jazeera.
