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Saudi Arabia says intercepted missile debris fell in Mecca region
Saudi civil defense said debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles attributed to Yemen's Houthis fell in the Mecca region, including Sabuhah village; Al Jazeera reported a Houthi denial of targeting Mecca.
- Al Jazeera and Khaleej Times are now reporting this
- Our desk updated its story
- Still developing
- Arab News is now reporting this
- Middle East Eye is now reporting this
Primary source: arabnews.com
Saudi Arabia's civil defense said debris from two ballistic missiles fell in the Mecca region after the weapons were intercepted and destroyed, according to a statement relayed by Middle East Eye, Arab News and Al Jazeera1,2,3.
Arab News said the fragments landed in the village of Sabouha after the missiles were destroyed over Makkah, and Al Jazeera likewise named Sabuhah in Mecca province2,3.
Khaleej Times said Saudi state television identified the sites as Sabuhah village, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and Wadi Al Maghmas, about 21 kilometers east of the mosque4.
The same Saudi accounts attributed the launches to Yemen's Houthis and said the missiles had been directed toward the Mecca region1,2,3.
Al Jazeera reported that a Houthi spokesperson on Wednesday rejected Saudi claims that the group had targeted Mecca with a drone, saying instead that a drone was launched at a pumping station in Yanbu on the Red Sea and that Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport was targeted with three cruise missiles3.
That denial, as published, addressed a drone claim rather than a separate Houthi comment on the two ballistic missiles whose debris civil defense described3.
Arab News said the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen reported intercepting two drones in the Makkah and southern regions on Wednesday, and that coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said three cruise missiles launched toward the Riyadh region had been destroyed2.
The coalition later said air defenses intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles in the kingdom's western region, Arab News reported2.
Al Jazeera said Saudi-led forces had earlier reported intercepting three cruise missiles toward Riyadh and drones toward Mecca and the south3.
Arab News noted prior Saudi accusations of Houthi activity toward the Makkah region, including a drone last month and a 2017 ballistic missile intercept over Taif province, about 69 kilometers from Makkah2.
None of the cited accounts reported casualties or independently confirmed the intercepts or debris1,2,3,4.
Sources
- Middle East EyeSaudi Arabia says debris from missile interception falls in Mecca region
- Arab NewsDebris falls on Makkah region after Houthi missiles destroyed by Coalition
- Al JazeeraFighting intensifies in Yemen as Houthis deny targeting Mecca
- Khaleej TimesSaudi Arabia intercepts two missiles, debris falls in Mecca region
How it’s being reported
4 versions from 3 sources
Saudi Arabia says debris from missile interception falls in Mecca region
The civil defense statement tying two intercepted ballistic missiles to a Houthi launch toward Mecca.
MEE relayed a Saudi civil defense statement that debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles attributed to Yemen's Houthis fell in the Mecca region.
Leaves out Village names, other intercepts that day, Houthi comment, and independent confirmation.
Debris falls on Makkah region after Houthi missiles destroyed by Coalition
Named village of impact and a sequence of coalition intercepts across Makkah, the south, Riyadh and the west.
Saudi daily Arab News reported civil defense saying fragments of two ballistic missiles destroyed over Makkah fell in Sabouha, and cited coalition intercepts of drones and cruise missiles the same…
Leaves out Houthi comment, casualties, and independent confirmation of debris.
Fighting intensifies in Yemen as Houthis deny targeting Mecca
The Houthi rejection of Saudi claims about targeting Mecca, alongside Yemen battlefield figures.
Al Jazeera reported a Houthi denial of targeting Mecca, Saudi civil defense debris in Sabuhah, and parallel fighting inside Yemen.
Leaves out Distance of debris sites from the Grand Mosque.
Saudi Arabia intercepts two missiles, debris falls in Mecca region
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Khaleej Times said Saudi civil defense reported two intercepted ballistic missiles and that state television named two debris sites near the Grand Mosque.
Leaves out Coalition intercept sequence, named Houthi spokesperson, and independent confirmation.