The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards the Madinah region of western Saudi Arabia on Thursday 5 November.

Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki announced the interception in a statement posted on social media. "Air defence intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the Madinah region," he said. The coalition did not disclose the missile's precise trajectory, its intended target, or whether the interception caused any damage.

Madinah is home to the Prophet's Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites. No casualties or damage were reported.

Houthis deny targeting the holy city

The Houthi movement rejected the coalition's account, describing it as a fabricated claim intended to damage the group's image internationally. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the movement's operations were directed exclusively against Saudi oil installations and military bases, and denied that its forces had targeted Madinah or other Islamic holy sites.

Neither side provided independently verifiable evidence establishing the missile's trajectory or its intended target.

Four Arab states condemn the attempt

Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan condemned the reported attack, expressing solidarity with Riyadh and reaffirming support for its sovereignty and security. Qatar's Foreign Ministry described it as "a blatant provocation of Muslims, a reckless disregard for civilian lives", and a violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law.

The announcement came amid heightened security alerts across several parts of Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and the southern border governorate of Sharurah, where civil defence issued emergency warnings to residents. The coalition also said it had shot down a Houthi drone over Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.