HighLights
  1. Saudi-led coalition blames Houthis for Medina power station attack.
  2. Attack targeted facility supplying electricity to Prophet's Mosque.
  3. Houthis deny involvement, citing escalating Yemen conflict.

Saudi-Houthi Conflict: The Saudi-led coalition has accused Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group of carrying out a drone attack on a power distribution station in Medina that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque. The development comes amid a fresh escalation in fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis and growing concern over religious sites being targeted.

Power Station Hit In Medina

According to Reuters, the Saudi-led coalition said a Houthi drone struck a power distribution station in Medina on Tuesday. The facility supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites. The attack damaged one transformer and took it out of service. However, officials added that the wider electricity network was not affected.

The coalition said it investigated the drone attack and examined the wreckage, which showed that the Houthis were involved in planning and carrying out the attack. It also accused the Houthis of repeatedly attempting to target the two holy Mosques and trying to provoke Muslims around the world.

ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia Issues Red Line Warning After Drone Destroyed Near Mecca, Houthis Reject Attack Claim

Houthis Deny Attack Claims

Meanwhile, the Houthis have rejected the accusation. A Houthi military source, quoted by the group’s Saba news agency, called the Saudi claim false. The groups alleged that the Saudi claim was intended to distract from an earlier dispute over an attack near Mecca.

Earlier in September, Saudi Arabia claimed it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter restricted airspace. Saudi authorities had described that incident as the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca since 2017.

Fighting Escalates In Yemen

The latest incident comes alongside reports of fresh fighting in Yemen. The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen, including Saada, Taiz and Amran. However, Riyadh has not confirmed the reported strikes. The latest fighting also represents a major escalation after the UN-backed truce largely stopped cross-border attacks in 2022.

The Houthis resumed attacks this year after declaring a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July. The group also carried out attacks on Saudi territory and shipping and made significant territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

ALSO READ: Will Mecca Pact Be Activated Soon? Pakistan, Saudi And Turkiye Hold Urgent Talks Amid Houthi Attacks, Eye Expansion

You May Also Like To Watch:


Also In News