Saudi Arabia’s air defenses reportedly intercepted a drone in the Mecca region on Friday, while separate reports of an airstrike on a crowded market in Yemen’s Taiz province heightened concerns about renewed escalation in the conflict.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that its forces had detected and destroyed the drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Malki confirmed the interception but did not disclose the suspected launch location or identify those responsible.

The announcement followed another security incident involving two ballistic missiles reportedly launched toward Najran, in southwestern Saudi Arabia. According to the coalition, both missiles were intercepted and destroyed. The Houthi movement had not immediately responded to the latest allegations.

Civilian casualties reported after Yemen market attack

Meanwhile, Houthi-run Al-Masirah television reported that three airstrikes struck Al-Hadarah Market in the Al-Wazi’iyah district of Taiz province.

The broadcaster said the market was busy with shoppers when the attacks took place on Friday morning. It attributed the strikes to Saudi aircraft and reported that the initial casualty count had exceeded 30 people.

Rescue operations were reportedly underway to locate missing people and recover victims. The broadcaster did not clarify how many of those affected had been killed or injured.

The reported casualty figures and circumstances of the attack have not been independently confirmed. Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the allegations.

Rising tensions along the Saudi-Yemen border

The reported incidents come amid renewed fighting in Taiz and other parts of Yemen involving Houthi forces and government troops backed by the Saudi-led coalition.

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile and drone threats during the conflict. The Houthis have previously claimed attacks against targets including airports, oil facilities and military installations inside the kingdom.

The latest interception near Mecca is particularly sensitive because of the city’s religious significance. However, the coalition’s announcement did not provide evidence identifying the drone’s origin, and the Houthis have previously denied accusations that they targeted Mecca and Medina.

Yemen’s prolonged conflict continues

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country in late 2014. A Saudi-led military intervention began in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Years of fighting have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and contributed to one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises. Civilians remain exposed to violence, displacement, food shortages and disruptions to basic services.

The latest reports underline the fragility of security across the region. Independent verification of the market attack, its casualties and responsibility for the strikes will be essential as tensions continue to develop.