Amid escalating tensions and increased hostilities involving Houthi forces, Saudi Arabia’s air defenses successfully intercepted a drone south of Mecca on September 15. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed the action, stating the drone was destroyed before it could breach the sacred airspace over the holy city.
Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the coalition, emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding Mecca and Medina, describing the security of these sites as a “red line” for Saudi Arabia. He also reiterated the coalition’s commitment to taking necessary measures to deter similar threats in the future. This incident marks the second reported attempt by Houthi forces to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile incident in 2017.
The Houthis, however, denied any involvement in targeting the holy city. Houthi spokesperson Hazem al-Assad categorically rejected the coalition’s claims, insisting that the group had no intention of attacking Mecca.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a prominent body representing Muslim-majority countries, condemned the reported attack. In a statement, the OIC reiterated its support for the protection of Mecca, Medina, and other important Islamic sites, underscoring the importance of maintaining their sanctity and security.
This incident highlights the ongoing instability in the region, with heightened security alerts across Saudi Arabia following a series of attacks involving Houthi forces. As tensions continue to simmer, the international community remains watchful of developments in this volatile area.