Saudi Arabia confirmed it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which was heading toward the holy city of Mecca. The incident occurred south of Mecca, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The drone was identified as part of a series of attacks attributed to the Houthis, who have been accused of targeting Saudi infrastructure and religious sites.
The Houthi rebels have denied responsibility for the attack, calling it a false accusation. The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition has been engaged in a military campaign against the Houthis since 2015. The attack has heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia labeling the attempt as a “red line” in its stance against Iran-backed groups.
The drone strike follows the collapse of a UN-brokered truce in April 2022, which had temporarily reduced violence in the region. The latest incident has drawn condemnation from neighboring countries, though no direct military support has been offered to Saudi Arabia. Analysts suggest the attack could further strain already fragile diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
