Saudi air defense forces intercept Yemeni Youth Movement drone heading towards Mecca; Houthis deny targeting the holy city

A drone threat was reported in Mecca, Islam's holiest city, on the evening of the 15th. Saudi Arabia stated that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed an armed drone belonging to the Yemeni rebel Houthi (also known as the Houthi organization) south of Mecca. The drone was flying in the direction of the holy city, but was shot down before entering Mecca's no-fly airspace. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca.

"Reuters" reported that Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said that the drone was intercepted by Saudi air defense forces on the evening of the 15th in the south of Mecca. He also said that this is the second time that the Houthis have been accused by Saudi Arabia of attempting to attack Mecca since the missile incident in 2017. Saudi Arabia stated that the safety of the two holy sites and pilgrims is a "red line".

Mecca is Islam's holiest city and the centerpiece of the annual pilgrimage, attracting large numbers of Muslims from around the world. The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the attacks in Mecca and Medina.

Hazem al-Assad, a member of the Houthi politburo, subsequently posted a message on the social platform

The incident occurred as the Houthis have recently expanded their attacks on Saudi Arabia. "Reuters" pointed out that the Houthis have recently made progress along the Red Sea coast of Yemen and launched attacks on Saudi ships and oil-related facilities; southern Saudi Arabia was also attacked by missiles and drones the day before the incident, injuring 13 people.

Saudi Arabia stated that the security forces will take necessary measures against actions that threaten the safety of the two holy sites and pilgrims; the Houthis continue to deny the accusation of targeting Mecca. The Houthis also claimed to have shot down a Saudi fighter jet, but the relevant claims have not yet been independently confirmed.