Saudi Arabia has announced that debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles fell at locations approximately 21 and 35 kilometres from Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Makkah.
The Saudi authorities said the missiles were fired towards the Makkah region late Wednesday night but were successfully intercepted and destroyed by the kingdom’s air defence systems.
According to Saudi state television, debris landed in Sabuhah village, about 35 kilometres northeast of the Grand Mosque, and Wadi al-Maghmas, approximately 21 kilometres east of the holy site.
The incident occurred amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement.
Multiple Threats Intercepted
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, disclosed that Saudi air defences intercepted a total of two ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones targeting different parts of the kingdom.
He said the threats were directed towards the Riyadh, Makkah, southern and eastern regions of Saudi Arabia.
The interceptions reportedly took place in phases from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
Three cruise missiles targeting the Riyadh region were first intercepted, followed by two drones heading towards the Makkah and southern regions.
Later on Wednesday night, two ballistic missiles fired towards the western region were destroyed before their debris fell at the two locations in Makkah province.
Another drone was intercepted in the Eastern Province, while a separate unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed in the Riyadh region on Thursday morning.
Houthis Reject Claims of Targeting Holy Cities
The Houthi movement has repeatedly denied allegations that it deliberately targets Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities in Islam.
The group maintains that its military operations are directed at strategic and military installations elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities have not reported any casualties or significant damage resulting from the falling missile debris.