Houthi drone aimed at Mecca intercepted by Saudi Arabia
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki warned that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims was a 'red line.'
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group before it could enter the restricted airspace over Mecca, raising tensions between the two sides.
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the drone was intercepted by Saudi air defence forces on Tuesday evening. He warned that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims was a 'red line'.
A security alert was briefly issued in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif. It was the first such alert in Mecca in nearly a decade. The alert was lifted within minutes.
The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or any other Islamic holy site, calling the Saudi claim misinformation.
The incident comes amid a renewed escalation in the conflict, which began in 2015 after the Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. Houthi attacks on Saudi territory had largely stopped following a UN-brokered truce in 2022, but fighting has intensified again in recent months.
Earlier on Tuesday, Houthi attacks on Saudi cities including Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif injured 13 people, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
Mecca is home to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, and attracts millions of Muslims each year for Hajj and Umrah.
