Five Killed as Saudi Arabia and Houthis Exchange Attacks
At least five people, including three children, have reportedly been killed as Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels trade attacks amid a fresh escalation in the conflict.
Saudi authorities said a Houthi drone was intercepted over Taif on Thursday, killing a Yemeni resident and injuring two others. Houthi-linked media, meanwhile, reported civilian deaths in Saudi-backed strikes in parts of Yemen.
Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that the group launched a drone towards Mecca, describing the allegation as a “heinous lie” and denying any intention to target the Islamic holy city.
The escalating conflict has raised wider regional concerns, with Pakistan and Turkiye potentially becoming more involved because of their defence ties with Saudi Arabia, while China has reportedly urged Iran to help restrain the Houthis.
