Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles

DUBAI:

Saudi air defences intercepted three Houthi cruise missiles launched towards Riyadh and two drones heading towards Makkah and the kingdom's southern regions on Wednesday, the Saudi-led military coalition said.

The interceptions came amid an escalation in attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group, which has intensified strikes on Saudi targets in recent days. The Houthis, however, denied targeting Makkah, saying they attacked a pumping station in the Yanbu region with a drone and fired three cruise missiles at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

A Houthi attack on Sunday damaged an administrative building belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Riyadh's financial district. The latest interceptions marked the second consecutive day Saudi defences had downed missiles aimed at the capital.

Last month, a Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to the report. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has intensified since September, with the group stepping up attacks.