Debris from 2 intercepted missiles falls in Mecca region, Saudi Arabia says

Saudi Arabia said debris from two ballistic missiles intercepted by its air defences fell in the Mecca region on Wednesday, amid an escalating exchange of attacks between the kingdom and Yemen’s Houthi group.

Saudi state television reported that the debris fell in the village of Sabouha, about 35 km north-east of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and in Wadi al-Maghamas, about 21 km east of the mosque.

The Saudi Civil Defence said in a statement that the two missiles had been launched towards the region and were intercepted and destroyed.

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The Houthis have repeatedly denied Saudi accusations that they have targeted Mecca and Medina, saying their operations are directed at military and strategic targets in other parts of the kingdom. The group has not yet commented on the latest incident.

In a statement issued early on Thursday, Saudi Civil Defence said: “This hostile targeting of civilian objects is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and reflects the dangerous nature of the hostile approach adopted by the Houthi militia.”

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