Saudi-Houthi War Today: Missiles on Riyadh, Drone Near Mecca and Fierce Battles Near Aden

The war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels is escalating fast. In the past 48 hours, Saudi air defences say they shot down ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and a drone heading for the Mecca region, the Houthis claimed six attacks on Saudi oil refineries and airports, and fierce battles broke out in the mountains near Aden. Here is the latest Saudi-Houthi war news today, explained.

Saudi-Houthi War Today: Key Points

Riyadh: the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two ballistic missiles fired at the Saudi capital on Thursday, plus another aimed at the Eastern Province
Mecca: the coalition says it destroyed a Houthi drone heading toward the Mecca region on Friday. The Houthis deny it
Houthi claims: six missile and drone attacks on Saudi refineries, Aramco sites, airports and a military base
Saudi strikes: the Houthis say 27 people were killed in Saudi airstrikes on areas they control
Ground war: heavy fighting in Lahj province, about 40 to 50 miles from Aden, while the city of Taiz remains under siege
New report: a private intelligence firm says Russian satellites watched Saudi targets before and after Houthi attacks

Missiles on Riyadh and a Drone Near Mecca

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone headed toward the Mecca region on Friday morning, along with a missile aimed at western Saudi Arabia. On Thursday, the coalition said it shot down a ballistic missile fired toward the Eastern Province and two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh. The coalition also said it intercepted a drone over the Medina governorate.

The Houthis strongly denied targeting Islam's holy cities. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group "has not carried out any operation directed towards the Saudi interior" in the Medina area and called the Saudi accusations "fabrications". The group says its attacks focus on Saudi energy and military sites.

Houthis Claim Six Attacks on Saudi Oil and Airports

In a televised statement on al-Masirah TV, Saree said the Houthis carried out six operations in response to Saudi airstrikes on Yemen:

Oil facilities: ballistic missiles fired at the Ras Tanura refinery and Aramco facilities in Abqaiq in the Eastern Province, and the Rabigh refinery on the Red Sea coast
Airports: two missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a drone attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam
Military: a strike on what the Houthis called a Saudi command centre in Najran

These claims have not been independently verified. Earlier this month, Saudi officials said a strike on King Khalid airport on October 10 killed 12 people and injured around 300, forcing the airport to close temporarily. An October 21 attack on King Fahd airport in Dammam killed two people.

Saudi Houthi war in numbers October 2026: 12 killed at Riyadh airport, 27 killed in Saudi strikes, 800,000 cut off in Taiz, 71 UN staff held

Fierce Battles Near Aden and the Siege of Taiz

On the ground in Yemen, the Houthis are attacking government positions in the Al-Maqatirah district of Lahj province, described as the northern gateway to Lahj, roughly 40 to 50 miles from the southern port city of Aden. Local media reported that "dozens" of fighters on both sides were killed or wounded on Friday.

Taiz: the Houthis have besieged the city since early October after seizing the road linking it to Aden. More than 800,000 people are cut off from essential supplies.
Red Sea coast: in September the Houthis took full control of Yemen's Red Sea coast, including Mocha, reaching the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
UN warning: the Houthis are holding 71 UN staff members. A UN spokesperson said aid delivery in Houthi-controlled areas is "untenable at this time".
Counteroffensive: the Saudi-backed government launched its "Operation Yemen Dawn" counteroffensive this month, according to Al Jazeera.

Are the Houthis Using Russian Satellites?

A Geneva-based private firm, AURORAH GeoSignal Intelligence, reviewed 40 missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia between July 1 and October 19. It says Russian military satellites observed the target areas before and after each attack. Its founder, Nawaf Obaid, cautioned that linking satellite data to individual launches "requires additional corroboration", and Russia has not commented. Officials quoted by the AP also say the Houthis have benefited from Russian intelligence and Chinese capabilities.

How Is This Linked to the Iran War?

The Houthis receive backing, training and weapons from Iran, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones, although Tehran officially denies supplying them. The fighting is part of the wider regional war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Read our full US–Iran war timeline and today's Iran war update.

A UN-backed truce that had stopped cross-border attacks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia since 2022 has now collapsed. Fighting between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government resumed in July and escalated sharply in September.

What Happens Next?

More strikes on Saudi energy: the Houthis have repeatedly targeted refineries, pipelines and airports, keeping oil markets on edge.
The battle for Aden: if Houthi forces break through in Lahj, the government's southern stronghold could come under direct threat.
A humanitarian crisis: with Taiz under siege and UN aid operations halted, conditions for civilians are getting worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Houthis attack Mecca?

The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a Houthi drone heading toward the Mecca region on October 30. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca or Medina and call the claim fabricated.

Why are Saudi Arabia and the Houthis fighting?

The Iran-backed Houthis control much of northern Yemen and are fighting Yemen's Saudi-backed government. A 2022 truce has collapsed, and cross-border attacks resumed amid the wider regional war involving Iran.

What did the Houthis attack in Saudi Arabia?

The Houthis claim attacks on the Ras Tanura, Abqaiq and Rabigh oil facilities, airports in Riyadh and Dammam, and a military base in Najran. These claims are not independently verified.

How many people were killed at Riyadh airport?

Saudi officials said a strike on King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed 12 people and injured around 300.

What is happening in Taiz?

The Houthis have besieged Taiz since early October, cutting off more than 800,000 people from essential supplies.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Last updated: October 31, 2026.

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