28 total views

INNNEWS – Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group south of Mecca on Tuesday evening, before it could enter the restricted airspace over the holy city, the Saudi-led military coalition said on Wednesday.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki stated that the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces destroyed the drone around 6:50 p.m. local time. He described the incident as the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch claimed by the coalition in July 2017.

“The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line,” al-Malki said, adding that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures against further attacks by the Iran-aligned group.

Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi authorities had issued brief security alerts for the city and other areas on Tuesday amid a series of Houthi attacks.

The Houthis rejected the accusation. A Houthi official called the claim “a worn-out lie,” stating that the group does not target holy sites.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions, with recent Houthi strikes reported on several Saudi cities and ongoing conflict involving Red Sea shipping routes.