A Greek-operated Patriot air defense system in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen and aimed at oil refineries in the Red Sea city of Yanbu, according to Greek security sources cited by Reuters and The Jerusalem Post.
Saudi Civil Defense issued an emergency alert for Yanbu residents during the incident. Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia since 2021 under an agreement intended to help safeguard the kingdom’s critical energy infrastructure; Saturday’s engagement was the second time Greek personnel had operated the system in an interception
The incident came after the Saudi-led coalition said it had struck Houthi military positions in Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate, alleging the sites had been used to threaten commercial maritime traffic. Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported strikes on telecommunications facilities in Hodeidah city and on Kamaran Island.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said Hodeidah port had not been targeted and maintained that Yemen’s ports—including Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Salif—remained operational and open to commercial navigation. The Houthis, meanwhile, accused Saudi Arabia of continuing a blockade and described Riyadh as an “open enemy” of Yemen, according to Iran International as quoted by The Jerusalem Post.
The latest exchange highlights the growing regional dimension of the Yemen conflict, where attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and threats to Red Sea shipping continue to pose wider security and economic risks. The report was originally published by The Jerusalem Post, citing Reuters and Greek security sources.