Saudi Arabia has allegedly intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen towards Islam’s holiest city of Mecca, Saudi state media reports.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, Houthi rebels launched a Scud missile from Saada province towards Mecca at 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Thursday. The Saudi air defense system was able to intercept and destroy the missile 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the target site. Saudi authorities said the missile caused no damage.
Major General Ahmed Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, accused Iran and Hezbollah of supporting the rebels and training them to use technology which enables them to launch such attacks. Asiri also announced retaliatory strikes against the Houthis.
Tensions escalated in Yemen after Shia President Saleh was deposed in 2012 and replaced by Saudi-backed Sunni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Saleh’s Houthi supporters, aided by Iran, eventually seized the capital city Sanaa in 2014 and advanced towards the south, seizing large parts of Yemen and sending Hadi into exile.
