A Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi group towards Taif and Yanbu on Saturday, as regional tensions and fighting continued.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued temporary alerts warning of potential danger in Taif, Yanbu, the holy city of Makkah and Jeddah. Authorities issued follow-up notices about 10 minutes later, saying the danger had passed.

The latest incident followed an earlier coalition announcement that its air defences had destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interception in a statement posted on X but did not disclose the missile’s origin or intended target.

Rights Group Reports Civilian Casualties in Taiz

Meanwhile, a rights group reported that Houthi attacks in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province killed two children, wounded three civilians and led to the abduction of four residents over a 24-hour period.

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The Yemen Network for Rights and Freedoms said it had documented 21 alleged crimes and violations during that period. These included the firing of approximately 213 projectiles towards residential areas.

“Three civilians, including two women, sustained various injuries, while four other residents were abducted and taken to unknown locations,” the group said.

The organisation also accused the Houthis of maintaining a siege and restricting civilian movement and the delivery of essential supplies.

According to the group, Houthi forces raided and looted three homes in the al-Hujariya area south of Taiz. They also damaged seven other homes, including two that were completely destroyed.

The network urged the international community to protect Taiz residents from repeated shelling and the ongoing siege. It warned that residents and health facilities were facing increasing pressure.

The Houthis had not immediately responded to the allegations.

Yemen Conflict Intensifies

The latest developments come amid a renewed military escalation that began in July. The supplied report describes the fighting as the most extensive escalation since the relative calm that followed a truce launched in April 2022.

Since October 5, Yemeni government forces have been conducting an operation called Dawn of Yemen. Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi has said the campaign aims to restore state control over institutions held by the Houthis and recapture the capital, Sanaa.

Yemen’s conflict intensified in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa and other provinces. Saudi Arabia led a military coalition into the conflict in March 2015 to support the internationally recognised government.

The Houthis continue to control much of northern and western Yemen. Government forces and their allies hold Aden and large areas of the country’s south and east.