Saudi air defences destroy two Houthi ballistic missiles near Masjid al-Haram

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia says its air defence system destroyed two ballistic missiles in mid-air as they were heading towards the Makkah region, although debris from the missiles fell at two locations in the area.

According to a foreign news agency, Saudi Civil Defence said that after the missiles were intercepted, their debris fell in the outskirts of Makkah. Saudi state television identified the locations.

One site is Sabuha Gaan, about 35 kilometres north-east of Masjid al-Haram. The second is Wadi al-Mughmas, about 21 kilometres east of Masjid al-Haram.

Saudi Civil Defence said the missiles had been fired towards the Makkah region. In a statement issued early on Thursday, the agency blamed the Houthi militia for the incident.

The statement said that targeting civilian areas is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and reflects the dangerous aggressive conduct of the Houthis.

So far, the Houthis have not responded to Saudi Arabia’s accusation regarding those responsible for firing the missiles, and the incident has not been independently verified.