The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis has accused the group of launching a drone attack on a power distribution station in Madinah.
The incident reportedly occurred early Tuesday at the Taibah electricity distribution station. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the facility was targeted at 5:11 a.m. local time.
According to the coalition, an investigation and examination of the drone wreckage indicated Houthi involvement in planning and carrying out the attack. One power transformer was damaged and taken out of service. However, the wider electricity network remained operational.
Al-Maliki said the targeted station is among the facilities providing electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. He described the incident as part of what the coalition considers repeated attempts to threaten Saudi Arabia’s holy cities.
The coalition said it would continue measures aimed at protecting the Two Holy Mosques and ensuring the safety of pilgrims and visitors in Makkah and Madinah.
The Houthis have disputed Saudi accusations in similar incidents. A Houthi-run news outlet previously denied responsibility for the Madinah attack, describing the allegation as false. Independent verification of responsibility for the latest incident was not immediately available.
The reported attack comes amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The conflict had largely eased after a United Nations-brokered truce reduced major cross-border attacks in 2022.
Recent developments have increased regional tensions. The Houthis have also been involved in fighting inside Yemen and attacks affecting Saudi territory and regional shipping routes, while Saudi Arabia has supported forces opposing the group.
The Madinah incident carries particular sensitivity because of the city’s religious importance and the presence of the Prophet’s Mosque.
