Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a formal statement rejecting the Saudi-led coalition's claims regarding an intercepted drone over Mecca. Saree clarified that the movement directs its operational strikes solely at military and oil-related targets. To support this position, he announced that the group had conducted a drone assault on Wednesday against a pumping station in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.
Key points
The Yemeni movement publicly rejected coalition allegations that it directed drone strike…: The Yemeni movement publicly rejected coalition allegations that it directed drone strikes toward Islamic holy sites.
Cross-border operations are deliberately framed by Houthi leadership as targeted actions…: Cross-border operations are deliberately framed by Houthi leadership as targeted actions against Saudi military and energy infrastructure.
Confirmation of the Yanbu pumping station strike demonstrates continued operational threa…: Confirmation of the Yanbu pumping station strike demonstrates continued operational threats to critical Saudi oil facilities along the Red Sea.
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Houthis say they attacked pumping station in Saudi, denied launching drones at Mecca
11 November 2026 19:37 GMT
Yemen's Houthis have rejected an accusation by the Saudi-led coalition that they intercepted a Houthi drone over the holy Islamic city of Mecca, according to a statement from the group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree.
He said that Houthi operations targeted Saudi oil facilities and military bases, adding that the group had conducted a drone attack on a pumping station in the Saudi Red Sea city of Yanbu on Wednesday.
Military tensions escalated on Wednesday after regional air defense systems neutralized incoming aerial threats aimed at the kingdom's western territory. The cross-border engagement comes amid conflicting claims regarding recent strikes toward sensitive sites, including religious areas and southern border provinces. Meanwhile, unverified blasts in southern Yemen underscore persistent instability across key regional urban centers.
Harsh winter conditions are compounding the misery of roughly 1.4 million displaced Palestinians sheltering in precarious conditions across the strip. Relentless rains and severe winds have flattened makeshift encampments, exposing vulnerable families to freezing temperatures without adequate protection. This unfolding humanitarian disaster is exacerbated by severe restrictions on external relief supplies and operations.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister defended public festival celebrations against critics who raised alarms over post-Diwali smoke. He emphasized that his administration purposely avoided curbs on firecrackers, claiming any air quality decline is brief and naturally corrects itself. The defense forms part of a broader political argument showcasing restored law and order and unrestrained cultural celebrations across the state.