2 hrs ago
Saudi Coalition Says Houthis Attacked Madinah Power Station
The Houthi movement in Yemen was accused of launching a drone attack near Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
The target was a power station that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque.
One transformer was taken out of service, but the larger electricity system reportedly kept working.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition also said it stopped two missiles near other Saudi cities.
Falling missile pieces damaged some buildings and vehicles.
Several countries criticized the reported attack.
The coalition says these actions are attempts to target Islam’s holy places.
The Houthis say they increased their attacks because their cities and ports are under siege by Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis struck Madinah’s Taibah power distribution station on Tuesday.
The drone attack forced one transformer offline but reportedly did not disrupt the wider electricity network.
The coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles near Khamis Mushait and Jazan on Thursday.
Debris from one interception reportedly damaged buildings and vehicles in Khamis Mushait.
The strikes have intensified tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia after a 2022 ceasefire ended.
- Who
- The Houthi movement was accused by a Saudi-led coalition of carrying out the attacks.
- What
- A drone struck the Taibah power distribution station in Madinah, while two ballistic missiles were intercepted near Khamis Mushait and Jazan.
- Where
- The reported attacks involved Madinah, Khamis Mushait and Jazan in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The drone attack occurred Tuesday, and the coalition announced the missile interceptions Thursday.
- Why
- The coalition described the strike as part of efforts to target Islam’s Two Holy Mosques; the Houthis said their attacks escalated because their cities and ports are under siege.
Saudi-led coalition account
Houthi justification
Purpose of the attack
Saudi-led coalition account
The coalition said the Madinah strike was part of the Houthi movement’s attempts to target the Two Holy Mosques.
Houthi justification
The Houthis said they escalated attacks because their cities and ports are under siege from the Saudi government.
Regional escalation
Saudi-led coalition account
The coalition presented the strike and missile launches as further attacks by an Iran-backed group against Saudi Arabia.
Houthi justification
The Houthi movement has recently advanced against Saudi-backed forces in Yemen and continued military actions after the ceasefire ended.
Key facts
- Reported drone target
- Taibah power distribution station in Madinah
- Impact on electricity
- One transformer was taken out of service, but the electricity network was reportedly unaffected
- Missile interceptions
- The coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles on Thursday
- Reported debris damage
- Buildings and vehicles were damaged in Khamis Mushait
- Previous ceasefire
- The military actions ended a 2022 ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
- Condemnations
- The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar were among those reported to condemn the attack
- Strategic context
- The strikes added uncertainty for the global oil industry amid fighting around the Strait of Hormuz
Sources
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