Saudi Arabia Says Houthi Drone Intercepted South of Mecca

Saudi Arabia says its air defences have destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace around Islam’s holiest city.

The interception took place late on September 15, according to the Saudi-led coalition.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said protecting Mecca, other holy sites and pilgrims was a “red line” and warned that deterrent measures would follow.

The Houthis deny targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites.

Saudi authorities have described the incident as the second Houthi attempt to threaten Mecca, citing a ballistic-missile incident in 2017.

There is currently no independent evidence establishing that Mecca itself was the intended target of the latest drone rather than another location in western Saudi Arabia.

The interception follows a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and unusually broad security alerts across the kingdom.

Those alerts have included Mecca and Jeddah.

The Houthis are an Iran-aligned Zaydi Shia Islamist political and military movement involved in the continuing conflict in Yemen. Their actions should not be generalised to Shia Muslims more broadly.

Saudi Arabia has sought in recent years to reduce its direct involvement in Yemen.

But the latest incident brings the renewed conflict unusually close to a location carrying enormous religious significance.

Saudi Arabia says a Houthi drone was destroyed south of Mecca.

The Houthis deny threatening the holy city.

Whether Mecca itself was the intended target has not been independently established.

Source

• Reuters – Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed south of Mecca