Saudi Arabia says it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city
Saudi Arabia says it shot down Houthi drone near Mecca
Qwenews.com – Saudi Arabia says it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, amid a broader rise in cross-border attacks linked to the conflict in Yemen.
Saudi officials described the operation as an attempted hostile action by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. Houthi representatives denied that Mecca was the intended target.
The report has drawn particular attention because of Mecca’s religious significance. The city is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, drawing millions of worshippers from around the world.
Saudi officials cite a rare threat near Mecca
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, said the incident was the first reported Houthi targeting of Mecca in nearly a decade. A ballistic missile headed toward the area was intercepted in 2017, he said.
This hostile attempt will also remain a black mark in the record of violations by the extremist terrorist Houthi militia, as a deliberate act intended to provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims.
Saudi Arabia says it shot down the drone and would take what al-Maliki called necessary and deterrent measures. The Houthis, who control substantial territory in Yemen, quickly rejected the allegation that they had attempted to threaten the holy city.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the reported attack. The 57-member body said actions that endanger mosques and holy places violate their sanctity and create fear among civilians.
Regional attacks and competing claims
The interception came after several days of heightened violence. Earlier in the week, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones toward Saudi cities including Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, according to Saudi authorities, who said 13 civilians were injured.
On Sunday, the Houthis also said they had attacked a Saudi military base. The movement has expanded the territory it controls while challenging Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.
Saudi Arabia says it shot down the drone as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to add pressure across the region. The Yemen conflict has increasingly overlapped with wider disputes involving missiles, drones, airstrikes and maritime security.
The Houthis said Saudi forces carried out airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday and Tuesday. The competing accounts underline the difficulty of assessing events during an escalating conflict that has exposed civilians on both sides to danger.
Red Sea shipping and oil concerns
Recent Houthi gains have also focused attention on Red Sea shipping routes. Last week, the group seized a Yemeni port city on the Red Sea and captured an island near a strategically important waterway.
The route has been used as an alternative passage for Saudi oil exports and refined petroleum products when pressure affects the Strait of Hormuz. Greater Houthi influence near these routes has heightened concern about possible disruption to energy supplies.
Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel last week after additional US strikes on Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf and renewed fighting in Yemen. The increase prompted protests in several places, where demonstrators called for action to ease rising economic pressure.
FAQ: What does the drone incident mean for Mecca?
Was Mecca damaged in the reported attack?
Saudi Arabia says it shot down the drone near Mecca. The reported account did not say that the holy city or its religious sites were damaged.
Why is security near Mecca especially significant?
Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and receives millions of pilgrims. Any reported threat near the city carries religious importance far beyond Saudi Arabia and is likely to draw strong international concern.
What should pilgrims and visitors do?
People planning travel to Mecca should follow official Saudi travel, security and pilgrimage guidance, and monitor updates from their airline or tour operator.