Saudi coalition accuses Houthis of drone attack on Madinah

Saudi-led coalition accused Yemen's Houthis of carrying out a drone attack on an electricity distribution station in Madinah, a holy city in Saudi Arabia. The incident, which occurred on September 29, has drawn strong condemnation from several Muslim countries. The Houthi fighters, who control Sanaa and Yemen's Red Sea coastline, have previously launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia, but such attacks on holy cities are rare.

Riyadh, which supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government, had previously accused the Houthis of a drone attack on Mecca, a claim denied by the group. The Saudi coalition spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki, confirmed the attack and stated that an investigation has confirmed the involvement of the Houthi militia.

The strike targeted a transformer, disrupting only one power supply without affecting the wider network. The facility supplied electricity to the Prophet's Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites. A senior Houthi official denied responsibility for the attack. Türkiye, Sudan, and Pakistan have strongly condemned the attack, while Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its solidarity with the kingdom.