Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels near Islam’s holiest city, a claim the Houthis rejected. Separately, a tanker caught fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Here are the latest developments from the Middle East on Friday. Read our full coverage here.
Saudi Arabia reports intercepting Houthi drone near Islam’s holiest city
A Saudi-led coalition said Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted in the area surrounding Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and a destination visited by millions of Muslim pilgrims each year.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied in a statement that the group had conducted any operation targeting Mecca. He said Houthi military actions are directed at Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
Saudi Arabia has previously reported intercepting missiles and drones headed toward Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. The Houthis have repeatedly denied targeting either location.
Tanker catches fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz
A tanker was temporarily disabled and caught fire after a small boat attached two explosives to its hull as the vessel traveled through the Strait of Hormuz, the British military said Friday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the explosives had been placed above the waterline. The blasts occurred Thursday and ignited a fire in the tanker’s engine room.
UKMTO did not identify the tanker or say who was responsible for the attack. The vessel was sailing about 46 kilometers (29 miles) northeast of Khasab, Oman. The crew was safe, and no environmental impact was reported.
The incident followed a statement Thursday from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard that three oil tankers had struck mines while attempting to leave the strait via an unauthorized route. Earlier this month, UKMTO said October was already the busiest month for reported attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since March, during the opening months of the Iran war.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
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