Jeddah: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has denied targeting Mecca and Medina after Saudi Arabia reported intercepting two ballistic missiles heading towards the regions on Saturday, October 24. Saudi authorities said debris from the interceptions fell in several locations, including areas around Jeddah, Taif, Rabigh and Mecca.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree rejected the allegations, describing claims that the group had targeted the holy cities as a “great and huge lie”, according to reports by AFP.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued emergency alerts for areas facing potential aerial threats and later announced that the danger had passed. Authorities urged residents to follow safety instructions and avoid filming incidents.

Houthis claim attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports

The Houthis said they had targeted several Saudi facilities, including an Aramco installation in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery and crude oil pumping stations linked to the kingdom’s East-West Pipeline.

The group also claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.

Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported strikes on these facilities. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles fired towards Yanbu and Taif. It remained unclear whether the other claimed attacks had struck their intended targets or been intercepted.

The Houthis also warned airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, describing the facility as a continuing military target.

Missile attacks reported in Aden

The escalation also extended to southern Yemen, where the internationally recognised government accused the Houthis of firing three ballistic missiles at coast guard installations in Aden.

According to Yemen’s Interior Ministry, two missiles struck a coast guard headquarters, while another hit a coast guard building in the Tawahi district.

Saree said Houthi forces had targeted military gatherings and a naval base in Aden that he alleged were being used by Saudi-backed forces. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the competing claims.

Air India extends flight suspensions

The security situation has disrupted air travel between India and Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, 2026. Services connecting Jeddah remained suspended until October 31, according to the airline's announcement.

IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled services to Saudi Arabian cities, according to the reports.

Travellers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information and rebooking arrangements.

Why the latest escalation matters

The renewed attacks threaten the relative calm established by a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022, which had largely halted cross-border hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis control the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northern Yemen. The two sides have been involved in a prolonged conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014 and a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in 2015.

The latest confrontation is unfolding amid the wider US-Israeli war involving Iran, which has increased regional security concerns.

Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure is particularly significant because the kingdom has relied on its East-West Pipeline to move crude towards Red Sea export terminals amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The route provides an alternative to the Persian Gulf shipping corridor, but attacks on pumping stations and refineries could threaten energy exports and market stability.

The Houthis’ position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait also raises concerns about commercial shipping through the Red Sea. Further attacks could increase risks for airlines, energy infrastructure and international trade.

The key developments will be whether Saudi authorities confirm damage at the facilities named by the Houthis, whether missile and drone attacks continue, and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a broader regional confrontation. The status of flights to Saudi Arabia and the security of oil export routes will also remain important indicators of the conflict’s wider impact.