Houthis deny targeting Mecca as Yemen violence displaces over 320000

Yemen's Houthis have rejected claims from Saudi Arabia that they targeted the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Al Jazeera reported. A Houthi spokesperson denied what he described as Saudi lies, stating instead that a drone was launched at a Red Sea pumping station in Yanbu. He added that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was targeted with three cruise missiles. [1]

The denial comes as fighting intensifies between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemen's internationally recognized government, Al Jazeera reported. Saudi-led coalition forces stated earlier that they had intercepted three incoming threats. 巴士的報 additionally reported that the Houthis claimed strikes on Saudi Arabia, while Egypt confirmed a troop presence. The Telegraph also reported that the Houthis are mobilizing forces to take control of Yemen. [1][2][4]

The United States stated that the Houthis are using blockade claims to justify their attacks on the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia, according to Arab News. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reported that more than 320,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Yemen since August 1, as casualties continue to surge. [1][3]

The current escalation follows an offensive launched by the Iran-backed Houthis on September 3, 2026, against the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council. Clashes initially began in Taiz Governorate before sparking counter-offensives in Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda governorates. As FTMQ News reported earlier in October 2026, the Houthis had previously claimed missile and drone attacks targeting both Aden International Airport and Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. [5][7][8]