Houthi Militia Denies Targeting Makkah, Says Saudi Military Bases and Oil Facilities Are the Targets

SANAA: Houthi militia leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has strongly denied Saudi Arabia’s allegation that the group launched a drone toward Makkah Mukarramah, saying the group’s targets in Saudi Arabia are limited to military bases, oil facilities and sites being used for operations against Yemen.

In a televised address, al-Houthi said the Houthi militia did not target the holy sites and described the Saudi allegation as false.

He said the group was responding to what it considers Saudi military operations and the ongoing campaign against Yemen, rather than targeting religious or civilian sites.

Houthi Militia Rejects Makkah Allegation

Al-Houthi said the claim that the Houthi militia had attempted to strike Makkah was part of what he described as a Saudi propaganda campaign.

He said the group could not even contemplate targeting Makkah, emphasising that its stated targets were Saudi military installations and energy infrastructure.

The Houthi militia’s denial follows a statement by Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki, who said Saudi air defences had intercepted a drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace.

Military and Oil Targets Cited

According to al-Houthi, the Houthi militia is targeting Saudi military bases, oil facilities and locations being used in operations against Yemen.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree has separately announced attacks on the Saudi Red Sea oil port of Yanbu and the Khamis Mushait air base, describing them as responses to Saudi military escalation.

The group has also claimed responsibility for attacks on other Saudi targets during the recent escalation.

Houthi Militia Says It Did Not Start Current War

Al-Houthi said the Houthi militia had not initiated the latest confrontation with Saudi Arabia and described its actions as defensive responses to attacks against Yemen.

He linked the renewed escalation to Saudi military operations and what he described as continued pressure and restrictions on Houthi-controlled areas.

The Houthi militia and Saudi Arabia have sharply different accounts of the events and the reasons behind the current escalation.

Saudi-Houthi Conflict Escalates

The latest dispute comes amid a major escalation in Yemen, with the Houthi militia expanding operations along the Red Sea coast and Saudi Arabia carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions.

The escalation has also affected strategic maritime routes and Saudi energy infrastructure, increasing concerns over regional security and global oil supplies.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s major shipping chokepoints, has become a central point of concern as fighting has intensified along Yemen’s western coastline.

For now, the Saudi claim that the intercepted drone was headed toward Makkah remains disputed, with Riyadh maintaining its account and the Houthi militia firmly denying that the holy city was the intended target.