Saudi Arabia warns Mecca is a red line after Houthi drone incident

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has warned the Houthis that the security of Mecca and Islam’s other holy sites is a 'red line' after its air defences intercepted a drone south of the holy city.

Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the drone was destroyed before it entered Mecca’s prohibited airspace. He said Saudi Arabia would take necessary measures to deter further attacks.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 Muslim-majority countries, condemned the reported attack and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. It described the incident as an attack on Islam’s holy city.

The Houthis denied targeting Mecca. Their spokesperson Hazem al-Assad rejected the Saudi claim and said the group had not threatened the city or other Islamic holy sites.

Saudi Arabia had issued security alerts in Mecca and other parts of the country on Tuesday amid a wider escalation with the Iran-aligned Houthis. The group has carried out several attacks on Saudi targets over the past week.

Mecca is home to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, and receives millions of Muslims every year for Hajj and Umrah.