Saudi Arabia Confirms Intercepting, D£stroying Houthi Drone Aimed At Mecca
Saudi Arabia Confirms Intercepting, Destroying Houthi Drone Aimed At Mecca
According to Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, it was the first time the Houthis had targeted the area around Mecca in nearly a decade.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone near the outskirts of Mecca on Tuesday, prompting condemnation from regional authorities and organisations.
According to Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, it was the first time the Houthis had targeted the area around Mecca in nearly a decade.
A ballistic missile fired toward the city was intercepted in 2017, he said.
The Houthis denied targeting Mecca. Their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said early Wednesday that the group’s targets were Saudi oil facilities and military bases located “far removed from the holy places.”
The latest incident comes amid increased fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis have launched ballistic missiles and drones toward several Saudi cities in recent days, including Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, with 13 civilians reportedly injured.
The group also claimed responsibility on Sunday for an attack on a Saudi military base.
Saudi forces have responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, according to the rebel group.
Al-Maliki described the reported drone attack as a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims and said Saudi Arabia would take what he called “necessary and deterrent measures” against the Houthis.
“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,” he said in a post on X.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which represents 57 member states, also condemned the incident.
The OIC said the attempted strikes violated the sanctity of holy sites and mosques and created fear among civilians.
Mecca, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, is Islam’s holiest city and receives millions of Muslim pilgrims each year. Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage there at least once in their lifetime.
The latest escalation follows recent advances by the Houthis in Yemen.
The group has intensified its fight against Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and expanded its territorial control.
Last week, the Houthis captured a Red Sea port city and an island near a strategic waterway that has served as an alternative route for Saudi oil and refined-product exports.
The developments have raised concerns over shipping and energy supplies in the region as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel last week following further US strikes on Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf and the escalation of fighting in Yemen.
