Houthis reject claims they launched drones toward Saudi holy city of Medina
The Houthi movement said it did not fire drones at Medina or carry out any military action against Saudi Arabia, countering coalition reports.
Yemen's Houthi movement refuted accusations that it launched drones toward Medina, saying no such operation was carried out on Wednesday. Their statement, delivered by military spokesperson Yahya Saree, directly challenges the Saudi-led coalition's claim of intercepting drones over the holy city and the Eastern region. The denial comes after the Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina, as they intensified attacks on Saudi targets, including Riyadh's airport and Saudi Aramco facilities.
The group also reported a strike on a military camp near Aden's airport and an attack on Riyan airport in Mukalla. Additionally, a Houthi missile strike on a security forces training camp in Shabwa province killed 73 people. The conflict, which has revived after the collapse of a 2022 UN truce, continues to threaten regional stability and international aviation.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights escalating Houthi-Saudi tensions that could disrupt regional air travel and oil supplies.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Yemeni government troops capture key positions on Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Oct 14 The coalition struck Sanaa’s al‑Suhaba fuel facility and warned nearby residents to evacuate.
- Oct 15 Air India joins IndiGo and Akasa Air in suspending Saudi flights.
- Oct 15 Turkey announced it is reviewing defensive support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca pact.
- Oct 15 Saudi‑led coalition launched air strikes on Houthi positions in Sanaa, breaking the 2022 ceasefire
- Oct 16 Missiles hit Aden airport and a ballistic missile targeting Yanbu was intercepted.
- Oct 17 President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested and called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize such action.
- Oct 18 Airlines have extended their flight suspensions to October 17.
- Oct 18 Egyptian parliament scheduled an emergency plenary meeting to consider a defence mandate for Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 19 At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured when Houthi forces fired three ballistic missiles at the al-Aiam military camp in Shabwa during a training drill.
- Oct 19 The Houthis publicly claimed the missiles hit Saudi officers.
- Oct 20 Parliament announced a plenary meeting to discuss the request, with a vote expected this week.
- Oct 20 Britain’s Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced that RAF Typhoons will conduct defensive counter-air missions over Saudi cities and critical infrastructure. The operation is purely protective and will not involve offensive strikes on Houthi positions. The deployment follows a series of deadly Houthi missile hits on Saudi airports and oil facilities, which have also disrupted Red Sea shipping. An A400 transport plane is also slated to deliver supplies as part of the plan approved by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Oct 20 Britain announced it will defend Saudi Arabia while explicitly ruling out offensive strikes.
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