Houthi forces launch missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure

Between November 10 and 12, 2026, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement intensified hostilities against Saudi Arabia, launching multiple drones and missiles targeting various locations, including Riyadh, Yanbu, and areas near Mecca. The Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting three cruise missiles aimed at the Riyadh region, two drones directed toward Mecca and southern regions, and two missiles targeting western Saudi Arabia. While the coalition characterized the strikes as a dangerous escalation, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed attacks on oil infrastructure, specifically claiming to have hit pumping station number seven of the East-West pipeline and a facility in the port city of Yanbu.

Contradicting reports emerged regarding the targets of these operations. The Saudi-led coalition stated that projectiles were aimed at sites near the holy city of Mecca, while Houthi leadership explicitly denied targeting the city, asserting that their military actions are exclusively restricted to oil facilities and military bases. The East-West pipeline remains a vital economic asset for Saudi Arabia, allowing oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities in the kingdom issued and subsequently cleared several civil defense alerts in cities including Taif, Yanbu, and Khamis Mushait as the military assessed the security situation.