Houthi debris lands in three Saudi cities after missile defense

Saudi Civil Defense announced on Saturday that it intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthis toward the regions of Mecca and Medina. Debris from the downed projectiles fell in Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh.

The intercepts followed a series of attacks announced by Houthi forces earlier on Saturday. The group said it targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and multiple airports. Named sites included a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, added that the group also struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He identified Najran airport and an air base in Khamis Mushait as additional targets. Houthi-linked Saba News Agency reported that Yemen’s National Commission for Human Rights condemned Saudi strikes on Sanaa. The group described the attacks as a massacre in the Asr neighborhood and cited damage to a cement factory in the Hamdan district.

The United States State Department updated its travel advisory for Israel on Friday. The notice warned of an increased threat of armed attacks by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and the potential for rapid regional escalation. The classification for Israel remains at Level 3, urging citizens to reconsider travel due to terrorism and unrest.

The State Department cited previous Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian airports and critical infrastructure in its warning. Those prior strikes resulted in civilian casualties and major travel disruptions. The new advisory did not change existing risk indicators or restrictions on travel to specific areas of Israel.