Yemeni Army Claims 300 Kills as Missile Debris Hits Mecca

Houthi forces launched a new series of attacks on Saturday, targeting Aden and two major cities in Saudi Arabia. The strikes coincided with a sharp increase in reported casualties on the Yemeni front lines, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.

The fighting has intensified since a fragile ceasefire agreed upon in 2022 collapsed in July. Since that date, Houthi groups have used long-range weapons to pressure Saudi energy infrastructure and airports. This sustained campaign has defined the current phase of the war, with both sides exchanging fire across the border and within Yemen.

Yemeni government officials confirmed that two ballistic missiles hit Aden International Airport on Saturday. The Transport Ministry stated this was the fourth attack on the facility in October. Officials warned that the strikes threaten civil aviation and have economic consequences for residents who rely on the airport for travel. Authorities also reported damage to the coastguard headquarters and a building known as the al-Nasr camp.

In Sanaa, a city controlled by the Houthis, a malfunctioning missile crashed into a family home on Friday. The Yemeni army announced that the accident killed three people. The military noted that several similar missile failures from the Iran-backed group have occurred in recent weeks.

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a Yemeni army spokesman, said government forces conducted more than 700 targeting operations over the previous 24 hours. He claimed these operations neutralized 300 Houthi fighters and disabled military vehicles in Taiz. The operations focused on command centers, weapons depots, and supply lines, though independent verification of these figures has not been completed.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency confirmed on Saturday that the Houthis launched two ballistic missiles toward Mecca and Medina. The agency warned of falling shrapnel after intercepting the projectiles. Images from the Saudi Press Agency showed a large, blackened object that landed inside the kingdom.

Houthi leaders disputed the official account of their targets. They rejected the claim that they aimed at the two holy cities, calling it a huge lie. The group stated instead that they targeted three Saudi airports, oil infrastructure, and an airbase. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, described the attacks as a blatant disregard for civilian safety.

The next phase of the conflict will involve continued pressure on Saudi infrastructure and intense fighting in Taiz. The Yemeni army plans to maintain its focus on Houthi supply lines and command structures in the region.