Saudi air defenses intercept six Houthi ballistic missiles targeting Taif and Yanbu

Saudi Arabia said Thursday its air defenses intercepted and destroyed six Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward the kingdom.

• Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki announced the interception and destruction of the missiles in statements on the X platform.
• Al-Maliki said the interceptions foiled attempts to target the cities of Taif and Yanbu.
• The spokesperson stated that the Houthi escalation and violations would be dealt with "firmly."
• Saudi civil defense issued then lifted short warnings for Mecca, Taif, Jeddah, Yanbu and Tabuk, declaring the danger had passed.
• A Greek Patriot air defence system intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone in the wider Yanbu region.
• French President Emmanuel Macron announced France will send defensive forces and equipment to protect Saudi Arabia's Yanbu oil export complex from Houthi attacks.
• Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the Houthi ballistic missile launches toward Taif and Yanbu as a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty.