Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles Over Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthis toward Mecca and Medina, with fragments falling in Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh. The interception occurred after the Houthis claimed to have attacked Saudi oil facilities and airports, including Aramco's facility in Yanbu and refineries in Rabigh. The U.S. State Department had previously warned of increased risks from Houthi attacks and regional escalation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi Arabia intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles targeting Mecca and Medina, with fragments falling in Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh.
- The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports, including Aramco's facility in Yanbu.
- The U.S. State Department updated travel guidance for Israel, warning of increased Houthi attacks and regional escalation.
- The Houthis condemned Saudi airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, calling them a 'massacre'.
- The U.S. travel advisory for Israel remains at Level 3, advising reconsideration of travel due to risks.
Saudi Civil Defense announced on Saturday that two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Houthis toward the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were intercepted. Fragments fell in several locations, including Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh. The announcement followed the Houthis' claim earlier on Saturday of launching attacks targeting Saudi oil facilities and airports. These included a facility belonging to Aramco in Yanbu, an oil refinery in Rabigh, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The military spokesperson for the group stated that the attacks also hit King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran Airport, and a military base in Khamis Mushait. This wave of attacks comes amid warnings from the U.S. State Department, which updated its travel guidance for Israel on Friday. The department cautioned about an increased risk of armed attacks by Iran-backed Houthis and the potential for rapid escalation of regional hostilities. The U.S. guidance for Israel remains at Level 3, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel due to risks of terrorism and civil unrest.
The State Department's warning on armed conflict referenced past Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, noting strikes on civilian airports and vital infrastructure that resulted in civilian casualties and significant travel disruptions. Meanwhile, Yemen's Saba news agency, controlled by the Houthis, reported on Saturday that the "National Committee for Human Rights" in Yemen condemned Saudi Arabia for airstrikes in the capital, Sanaa. The group described the incident as a "massacre" in the "Asr" neighborhood of Sanaa and also mentioned an attack on a cement factory in the Hamdan district of Sanaa province.
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