Fighting intensifies in Yemen as Houthis deny targeting Mecca

Yemen's Houthis have rejected claims by Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition that they targeted Mecca, Islam's holiest city. A Houthi spokesperson, speaking on Wednesday, called the claims "lies". He said a drone was launched at a pumping station in Yanbu on the Red Sea, and that three cruise missiles were aimed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The coalition had said it intercepted three cruise missiles launched towards Riyadh, along with drones launched towards Mecca and southern Saudi regions. Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence Authority said debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles fell in the village of Sabuhah in Mecca province. It called the attacks a violation of international humanitarian law.

Inside Yemen, army spokesperson Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili said at least 138 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded in attacks in al-Jawf, Marib, al-Bayda and Taiz. He also said coalition forces carried out 23 air strikes. Information Minister Salem al-Awalqi condemned Houthi shelling of Aden's al-Buraiqa district. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said his forces targeted a Saudi coalition command centre there with ballistic missiles.

The World Health Organization said casualties had reached 11,755 as of November 8, including 2,098 killed and 9,657 wounded. It said more than 320,000 people have been displaced since August 1. It also reported that strikes have hit health facilities and ambulances, and that fuel shortages are disrupting emergency services in Taiz.