Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards the Mecca region on Wednesday, with debris falling at two locations northeast and east of the holy city.
The Saudi Civil Defence said the missiles had been intercepted before reaching their intended targets. Debris from the interceptions fell in Sabuhah village, approximately 35 kilometres northeast of the Grand Mosque, and Wadi Al Maghmas, around 21 kilometres east of the mosque, according to Saudi state television.
In a statement issued early on Thursday, the Civil Defence condemned what it described as an attack on civilian areas, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law.
“This hostile targeting of civilian objects constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and reflects the dangerous hostile approach pursued by the Houthi militia,” the statement said.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned movement that controls much of northern Yemen, have repeatedly denied Saudi accusations that they target Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. The group says its military operations are directed at military and strategic installations elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
Mecca is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, the focal point of Muslim prayer worldwide. The city also hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, which draws millions of worshippers from around the world.
The latest incident comes amid renewed exchanges of missile and drone attacks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, adding to tensions in a conflict that has continued for more than a decade.
The Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting Saudi Arabia to lead a military intervention the following year in support of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted major fighting between the opposing sides. However, hostilities resumed earlier this year, with the Houthis launching attacks on Saudi territory and Riyadh carrying out airstrikes in Yemen.
The renewed confrontation has raised concerns about the security of regional infrastructure and international shipping routes.
Particular attention has focused on the Bab Al Mandab Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The passage is an important route for commercial vessels travelling between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
Any sustained disruption could affect international trade and energy shipments, particularly as regional tensions continue to threaten maritime security.
Saudi authorities have not provided further details about the intended targets of Wednesday’s missiles or reported any casualties resulting from the falling debris.
