Air defenses operating under the Saudi-led military alliance intercepted and destroyed two hostile unmanned aircraft over the kingdom on Friday. The defensive actions targeted incoming threats over both the Mecca and Medina regions at separate times of the day. The Houthi movement disputed the claims, firmly denying that it launched any recent drone attacks toward either territory.
Key points
Conflicting accounts between the coalition and the Houthis continue over suspected milita…: Conflicting accounts between the coalition and the Houthis continue over suspected military cross-border operations.
The disputed drone intercepts occurred over regions containing Islam's two holiest religi…: The disputed drone intercepts occurred over regions containing Islam's two holiest religious cities.
The Houthi group has established a pattern of dismissing allegations concerning strikes o…: The Houthi group has established a pattern of dismissing allegations concerning strikes on Mecca and Medina.
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This is an entry from: Live: Qatari mediators head back to Tehran to push for US-Iran deal
Saudi coalition reports drones over Mecca and Medina, Houthis deny both
30 October 2026 20:49 GMT
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Friday it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone over Saudi Arabia's Medina region, but the Houthis denied carrying out any attack on the kingdom recently.
Earlier on Friday, the coalition said it had intercepted a Houthi drone in the Mecca region, which the group also denied.
The Houthis have repeatedly rejected coalition accusations that they have launched drones towards the Mecca and Medina regions, home to Islam's two holiest cities.
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