Houthis sent drone towards Medina! Missile attack on Rashtrapati Bhavan and airport in Aden

New Delhi: Fresh attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen have increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and southern Yemen. A new wave of attacks was launched by the Houthis on Friday. A drone was sent in the direction of the Saudi Arabian holy city of Medina, while the presidential palace compound and airport in the southern Yemeni city of Aden were targeted with ballistic missiles, according to Saudi and Yemeni officials.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting against the Houthis reported on Friday that its air defense system intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Medina area. Masjid-e-Nabavi located in Medina is included in the most sacred religious places of Islam. Earlier, the coalition had also claimed to have shot down a drone in Mecca area. The Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba are located in Mecca, while the Mosque of Prophet Mohammed is located in Medina. Both these cities have special religious importance for Muslims and a large number of people visit here every year.

Missile attack on Rashtrapati Bhavan and airport in Aden

On the other hand, attacks were also carried out in Yemen’s southern city of Aden on Friday. According to a police official, the Houthis targeted the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex with two missiles. A Yemeni government military spokesman said ballistic missiles were fired at al-Mashiq Palace and Aden airport. However, it was not clear whether the missiles hit their targets or not. Officials have not confirmed any casualties or damage. Two eyewitnesses said that they saw an ambulance heading towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex. According to the local people, some time ago two loud explosions were heard in the city.

Aden is the main center of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. In 2014, the Houthis ousted the government from the capital Sanaa. Since then the struggle continues in the country. On Wednesday also, Houthis had attacked Aden airport and before that had warned people to move away from there. This airport is an important route for humanitarian aid to southern Yemen.

Houthis called Saudi Arabia’s allegations false

Saudi Arabia has previously accused the Houthis of attempting drone attacks around Mecca and Medina. In September the coalition reported destroying a drone south of Mecca. However, Houthi rebels have consistently rejected these allegations. On Friday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saari called Saudi Arabia’s claim false on social media platform X. He said the organization has not conducted any military operations against Saudi territory. According to him, the targets of Houthi attacks are only Saudi Arabia’s military bases and oil-related infrastructure. The organization has also accused Saudi Arabia of spreading false claims regarding the attacks.