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Saudi coalition says it intercepted missile fired at Medina

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis announced Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the group toward the Medina region. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki stated on X that air defense systems intercepted the weapon directed at the area, which is home to one of Islam's holiest cities. The interception followed a warning issued minutes earlier by the kingdom's civil defense agency regarding potential danger near the strategic port of Yanbu, though it was unclear if t…

Key points

  • The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis announced Thursday that it intercepted a…: The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis announced Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the group toward the Medina region.
  • Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki stated on X that air defense systems intercepted the w…: Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki stated on X that air defense systems intercepted the weapon directed at the area, which is home to one of Islam's holiest cities.
  • The interception followed a warning issued minutes earlier by the kingdom's civil defense…: The interception followed a warning issued minutes earlier by the kingdom's civil defense agency regarding potential danger near the strategic port of Yanbu, though it was unclear if the incidents were connected.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis on Thursday said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the group at the Medina region, home to one of Islam's holiest cities.

The announcement came just minutes after the kingdom's civil defence agency warned of potential danger in the area near the strategic port of Yanbu.

It was unclear if the two events were connected.

"Air defence intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the Medina region," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said in a post on X.

The Houthis rejected any suggestion they were targeting the city, saying such accusations were a "blatant and grave falsehood".

"Our operations target only its oil facilities and military bases," the group said in a statement.

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