Houthi rebels deny attacking Mecca amid intensified Yemen conflict

Fighting in Yemen has intensified as the Houthi movement rejected Saudi claims of targeting Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. The conflict escalated this week, with Houthis denying accusations that they launched a drone towards Mecca, asserting instead that their strike was aimed at a pumping station in Yanbu and that three cruise missiles targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

The backdrop for this escalation involves ongoing hostilities between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed forces supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government. Casualty figures are rising amid the fighting. According to Yemen’s army spokesperson, Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, at least 138 Houthi fighters have been killed or wounded in various offensives. He reported that the Saudi-backed army has executed 773 field artillery attacks, alongside dozens of drone and rocket strikes across multiple governorates, including al-Jawf, Marib, al-Bayda, and Taiz. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition has claimed to conduct airstrikes that have damaged significant military resources of the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence Authority reported that missile debris fell in the village of Sabuhah in Mecca province, further escalating tensions. Officials condemned the alleged Houthi missile strikes as a violation of international humanitarian law. The situation has led to heightened fears of civilian casualties, particularly in areas like the al-Buraiqa district in Aden, where Houthi attacks have continued despite Saudi-backed military successes elsewhere.

As the conflict rages on, Yemen's Information Minister, Salem al-Awalqi, condemned the Houthi attacks, asserting they would not deter the resolve of the people in Aden. The Houthis, for their part, claimed responsibility for targeting a Saudi military command center in Aden, which they say plays a crucial role in overseeing military operations across the region. The situation remains precarious, with fighting expected to continue as both sides vie for control and strategic advantage.