Two ballistic missiles reach Mecca and Medina as Aden airport absorbs fourth strike

Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government-controlled Aden came under new fire on Saturday, marking the latest escalation in the regional conflict. The Yemeni Transport Ministry stated that two ballistic missiles targeted Aden International Airport, the fourth such incident this month. The ministry warned that these attacks endanger civil aviation and create economic and humanitarian burdens for residents relying on the facility.

Beyond the airport, Yemeni officials said the coastguard headquarters and another structure were struck. Houthi forces claimed responsibility for hitting the al-Nasr camp and a naval military base in Aden. In a separate incident on Friday, Yemen’s army reported that a malfunctioning Houthi missile crashed into a family home in Sanaa, killing three people. The military noted that missile failures from the Iran-backed group have become common in recent weeks.

Saudi civil defence officials confirmed on the social platform X that two ballistic missiles were launched toward Mecca and Medina. They warned of falling shrapnel after intercepting the projectiles. Images released by the Saudi Press Agency showed a large, blackened missile-shaped object that landed within Saudi territory. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV claimed Saudi coalition airstrikes killed several civilians in Sanaa and Hodeidah, though Riyadh had not issued a formal comment by Saturday.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, called the attacks heinous. In a statement, he said the strikes showed a blatant disregard for civilian lives and security. The Houthi group disputed the official account of their targets. They called the claim that they aimed at Mecca and Medina a huge lie, stating instead that they targeted three Saudi airports, oil infrastructure, and an airbase.

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a Yemeni army spokesman, said government forces conducted more than 700 targeting operations over the previous 24 hours. He claimed these operations neutralized 300 Houthi fighters and disabled military vehicles, figures that Al Jazeera could not independently verify. The spokesman added that the operations focused on command centres, weapons depots, and supply lines in Taiz, where intense clashes have persisted for days.

Since a fragile ceasefire agreed in 2022 collapsed in July, Houthi forces have used long-range strikes to target Saudi energy infrastructure and airports. This sustained pressure has defined the current phase of the conflict as fighting continues along front lines for control of key areas.