Saudi-led coalition says shot down 6 ballistic missiles launched by Houthis | Conflict News
Saudi Coalition Claims Success Against Houthi Missile Attacks
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Published on September 24, 2026
Saudi-led coalition forces announced the interception of six ballistic missiles allegedly fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement toward Saudi cities, including Taif and the crucial port of Yanbu. The interception occurred on Thursday, according to Major General Turki al-Malki, the spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
Al-Malki stated that the coalition’s air defense systems successfully destroyed the missiles before they could reach their intended targets. No immediate claim of responsibility for the missile launches has been made by the Houthis or any other groups.
This incident coincided with reports from Reuters that a ballistic missile and a drone were intercepted by an air defense system operated by Greek military personnel in the Yanbu region, which is critical for Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. A Greek security source confirmed that the missiles launched from the Greek-operated Patriot system successfully neutralized both threats but did not provide details on their origins.
The strategic significance of Yanbu cannot be overstated, particularly in light of recent disruptions to shipping via the Strait of Hormuz. In response to ongoing threats, Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defence issued alerts regarding potential dangers in Mecca, Tabuk, Jeddah, and Yanbu earlier on Thursday. Officials later declared that the threat had diminished, assuring that those cities were no longer at risk.
This marks a notable escalation in hostilities, as Saudi Arabia reported last week that it intercepted a drone aimed at Mecca, a claim firmly denied by Houthi leadership, who labeled the Saudi assertions as “a heinous lie.”
This incident is particularly significant as it represents the first security alert in Mecca in nearly a decade. The Houthis have predominantly targeted southern regions of Saudi Arabia, intensifying their attacks following the announcement of a naval blockade in July. This escalation has positioned them as direct participants in the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, particularly following their recent territorial gains along Yemen’s western coast.
In related developments, Yemeni government forces reported on Thursday that they successfully repelled Houthi attacks in the Taiz governorate. According to Colonel Majid al-Nuzaili, Houthi forces attempted coordinated strikes the previous night, aiming to secure positions along a vital route connecting Aden, Lahj, and Taiz.
