Saudi shoots down Yemeni rebel missile near Makkah

The Command of the Arab Alliance in support of legitimacy in Yemen announced that the Alliance's air defense forces have successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Makkah this evening by the Houthi militias, a desperate attempt to disrupt Haj season.

"The air defense forces of the Alliance in support of legitimacy in Yemen were on Thursday able to intercept a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militias towards Makkah. The interception operation took place over Al-Wasliya area in Al-Taif province, some 69 km away from the holy city of Makkah, without causing any harm," the alliance said in a statement.

The alliance command confirmed that the non-stop trafficking of missiles into the Yemeni territories comes from the lack of control and monitoring system at Al-Hodeida port, as well as the misuse of permits granted by the alliance to relief and goods shipments, coinciding with the world community's failure to take a decision to prevent such violations that prolong the war and endanger the lives of civilians.

The alliance reiterates its support for the decision of the legitimate Yemeni government for the endeavor of the UN envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Al-Chieck to impose control on this vital sea outlet.

Source: Khaleej Times