Srinagar, Oct 2 (JKNS): The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis has accused the Iran-aligned group of attacking a power distribution station in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Medina, while the Houthis have denied responsibility for the incident.
According to the coalition, as per news agency JKNS said, the power facility, which supplies electricity to the Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), was attacked on Tuesday, damaging one transformer but not disrupting the wider electricity network.
The coalition said an investigation and examination of drone wreckage had established what it described as Houthi involvement in planning and carrying out the attack.
A Houthi military source, quoted by the group’s Saba news agency, rejected the allegation as a “lie” and said the accusation was aimed at covering up what the group described as Saudi Arabia’s failure to substantiate an earlier claim concerning an alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca.
The coalition further alleged that the Medina incident was part of repeated attempts by the Houthis to target the two Muslim holy sites in Mecca and Medina, while saying it would continue measures to protect the sites and pilgrims.
Separately, the coalition said it intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by the Houthis over Khamis Mushait and two ballistic missiles over Khamis Mushait and Jazan in southern Saudi Arabia.
Heavy Fighting Reported In Taiz
Meanwhile, Saudi-backed forces of Yemen’s internationally recognised government claimed that dozens of Houthi fighters were killed during intense clashes across several fronts in Taiz province.
Yemen’s army said Houthi fighters opened heavy fire in Jabal Habashi and Maqbanah districts west of Taiz and on the al-Aqrud front in al-Masrakh district.
Citing a military source, the forces claimed at least 30 Houthi fighters were killed on the al-Aqrud front, while dozens were wounded.
The statement also said six air strikes caused further losses on fronts southeast of Taiz and in the Humayr area of Maqbanah.
Saudi Arabia Approves Nearly $60 Million For Yemen
Amid the escalation, Saudi Arabia announced approval of 224 million Saudi riyals, around $59.7 million, in budgetary support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jabir said the funding would support government financial flows, fiscal policy and purchasing power.
The developments come amid continued fighting over strategic areas in Yemen, including the Bab al-Mandeb region, a key maritime route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider global shipping network. (JKNS)
