The official spokesperson for a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has vowed to take “necessary measures” against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and ensure the protection of the holy cities of Madina and Makkah, after a power station in the former was attacked by the group.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the attack targeted the Taibah electricity distribution station in Madina, according to a coalition statement.

“The findings of investigations and inquiries conducted by the relevant authorities, based on an operational review and the debris of the drone used, established the involvement of the terrorist Houthi militia in planning and carrying out this cowardly terrorist act,” it reads.

Al-Maliki notes that one transformer was taken out of service without affecting the electricity network, adding that this “cowardly terrorist act” reinforces the Houthis’ pattern of “attempting to target the Two Holy Mosques and deliberately provoking the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world by targeting Makkah and Madina”.

“Major General Al-Maliki affirmed that the coalition would continue to take and implement the necessary measures to deter the terrorist Houthi militia, ensuring the protection of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of the pilgrims and visitors to the holy sites in Makkah and Madina,” the statement reads.