Houthis fire missiles and drones at Riyadh and Mecca; Saudi Arabia intercepts

Nov 11, 2026

On November 11, 2026, Saudi air defences intercepted multiple Houthi cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones targeting Riyadh, Mecca, and western regions. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied targeting Mecca, Islam's holiest city, maintaining that attacks focused on military bases and an oil pumping station in Yanbu. The escalated strikes follow months of intensified conflict since September 2026, when Houthis advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Houthi missile strikes

▪The Saudi-led military coalition said Houthi forces launched three cruise missiles towards the Riyadh region and two missiles towards the western region of Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2026
▪The Saudi-led coalition said Saudi air defences intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile and a cruise missile launched towards Riyadh
▪A Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport last month killed 13 people and wounded more than 300

Houthi drone attacks

▪The Saudi-led military coalition said Houthi forces launched two drones aimed at Mecca and southern regions of Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2026
▪A Houthi attack damaged an Aramco administrative building

Saudi air defence interceptions

▪Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed Houthi cruise missiles, drones, and missiles targeted at Riyadh, Mecca, and western areas
▪Saudi civil defence issued alerts warning of danger in Taif, Yanbu, and Khamis Mushait on November 11, 2026, before announcing the threat had passed

Mecca targeting denial

▪Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied that Houthi forces targeted Mecca with a drone on November 11, 2026
▪Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Houthi military operations target only oil facilities and military bases

Yanbu oil hub attack

▪Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Houthi forces attacked a pumping station in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2026
▪Yanbu is a key Saudi oil hub that enables oil exports while bypassing the blocked Strait of Hormuz

Saudi-Houthi escalation

▪Fighting between the Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi forces intensified after Houthis advanced towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September 2026
▪In response to stepped-up Houthi strikes on airports, ports, and oil facilities, Saudi Arabia increased airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen