Saudi Arabia reports Houthi missile attacks as allies plan defence talks

Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted six ballistic missiles launched from Yemen toward Taif and Yanbu on Thursday, as Houthi forces claimed separate missile and drone attacks on a “sensitive target” in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan announced urgent talks among their military chiefs on supporting the kingdom under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The three countries signed the pact on August 7, stipulating that an attack on one would be considered an attack on all three. Their foreign ministers, meeting Thursday in New York, condemned attacks targeting Mecca and Saudi civilian and economic facilities and affirmed Riyadh’s right to self-defence.

French President Emmanuel Macron said France would send soldiers, radar and defence systems to help protect the Yanbu oil site. Saudi coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Malki said further Houthi escalation would be dealt with firmly.

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned the continuing Houthi attacks, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure, and demanded an immediate end to attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects. It also called for unobstructed humanitarian access in Yemen.

The renewed fighting has displaced 138,000 people across Yemen since August, including 70,000 children, according to the UN. The International Organization for Migration said more than 3,500 people had crossed to Djibouti as civilians fled the conflict.