Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward Taif and Yanbu

Summary

On Saturday, a Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said it destroyed two ballistic missiles that the Iran-aligned group fired toward the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu, as fighting between the sides continued. Saudi Arabia's civil defence briefly issued alerts warning of potential danger in Taif and Yanbu, as well as the holy city of Mecca and Jeddah, and about 10 minutes later said the danger had passed. Later, Saudi civil defence said it had intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at the Mecca and Medina regions, with debris falling in several locations, including Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh. Le Monde reported that Saudi forces launched deadly airstrikes on Yemen as the coalition announced the interceptions. Le Monde also reported that the Houthis launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of strikes that killed 17, with Yemeni fighters saying they targeted three Saudi airports, energy installations, a pipeline and an air base. The Houthis denied Saudi Arabia's report that they attacked Mecca and Medina, saying their operations target Saudi oil facilities and military bases and that they announce such attacks when they occur. The accounts differ on which cities were targeted.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   24 Oct 2026, 09:14 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye, citing Reuters, reports that the Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward Taif and Yanbu on Saturday, and that Saudi civil defence briefly warned of danger in Taif, Yanbu, Mecca and Jeddah before saying the danger had passed.

2. Le Monde

   24 Oct 2026, 13:08 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that Saudi forces launched deadly airstrikes on Yemen, as the Saudi-led military coalition announced it had intercepted two missiles fired by the Houthis toward Taif and Yanbu since Saturday morning.

3. Middle East Eye

   24 Oct 2026, 17:19 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence said it intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the Mecca and Medina regions, with debris falling in several locations including Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.

4. Middle East Eye

   24 Oct 2026, 18:44 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the Houthis denied Saudi Arabia's report that they attacked the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, saying their operations target Saudi oil facilities and military bases and that they announce such attacks when they occur.

5. Le Monde

   24 Oct 2026, 23:34 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that the Houthis launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of strikes that killed 17, while Yemeni fighters said they targeted three Saudi airports, energy installations, a pipeline and an air base.