Saudi coalition forces intercepted a Houthi drone targeting Mecca, coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said, thwarting another attack on the city. The interception followed the destruction of two ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh the previous night.
Debris injures civilian after Riyadh interception
Al-Maliki said the drone sent towards Mecca was destroyed while airborne. Both missiles aimed at Riyadh were also intercepted in flight.
Falling debris from the Riyadh interception injured one civilian and damaged a house and a car.
Yemeni officials allege use of toxic weapons
Separately, the media office of Yemen’s Taiz governorate accused Houthi forces of using weapons that may have contained prohibited gases and other toxic substances. It said the weapons were used against government troops and civilians in Al-Aqroud and Kahlan.
The siege of Taiz has also intensified, with important supply routes cut off. Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman accused the militia of employing all types of illegal weapons.
Call for an independent investigation
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani urged the United Nations and international organisations to help secure an independent investigation. He also called for those responsible to be held accountable.
