Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a cruise missile over Medina; Houthis deny any attack

The Saudi-led military coalition said on Thursday, 15 October, that it intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile over the Medina region in western Saudi Arabia.

Coalition statement

• Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki announced the interception in a brief statement on X, Anadolu Agency reported.
• The statement did not identify who launched the missile or its intended target, and gave no details on casualties or damage.
• The coalition said the incident came amid intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including airports and energy sites. It also said earlier Thursday that it had intercepted a drone over the Eastern Province, and a day earlier that it destroyed a ballistic missile aimed toward Riyadh.

Houthi denial

• Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree wrote on X that Yemeni forces “have not carried out any operation today targeting Saudi territory” and called Saudi claims of an attack on Medina “a shameless and brazen lie,” France 24 reported with AFP.
• Neither side’s claims about attribution were independently verified in the initial reporting.

The coalition has backed Yemen’s government against the Houthis since 2015; the group has controlled Sanaa since 2014.