The Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen confirmed on Friday it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and multiple drones. The missile, launched by the Houthi militia, targeted Saudi Arabia’s southern region. Drones were intercepted over the holy cities of Riyadh and Madinah.
Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesperson, stated the missile was fired by the Houthi militia, which is backed by Iran. The interception occurred as part of ongoing operations against Iranian-aligned groups. The drones, also launched by the Houthi militia, were neutralized before they could reach their targets.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a directive ordering the military to respond immediately to any threat, without geographical restrictions. This follows reports from Yemen’s foreign minister that the Houthi siege of Taiz constitutes a war crime. The directive underscores Iran’s stance of direct military involvement in regional conflicts.
The Houthi militia, supported by Iran, has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies. The recent missile and drone attacks mark a new escalation in the conflict, with Iran’s leadership signaling a willingness to take direct action. The Saudi coalition continues to monitor and respond to threats from Iranian-backed groups in the region.
