Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh; Houthis deny targeting Mecca region

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh on Thursday, Al Arabiya and Xinhua reported, after a separate missile was intercepted over the Eastern Province earlier that day. On Friday the coalition said it destroyed a Houthi drone over the Mecca region, Reuters, via Al-Monitor, and Al Jazeera reported. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called that account false and said the group targets Saudi oil facilities and military bases.

Why it matters: The two sides have exchanged cross-border strikes in recent weeks, Xinhua and Al Arabiya reported, with the coalition reporting interceptions over the Saudi capital and other regions.