Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi drone near Mecca amid escalating attacks

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca before it could enter the holy city’s prohibited airspace, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi movement said, as attacks on the kingdom intensify.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said the drone was launched by the Iran-aligned Houthis and warned that the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line”. He said Saudi Arabia would take necessary measures to deter further attacks.

The incident came after Saudi Arabia issued emergency warnings covering Mecca, Jeddah and Taif amid a fresh wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks. The warning involving Mecca was the first such alert reported during the latest escalation.

The development is particularly significant because Mecca is home to the Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site and a major destination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

However, the incident is not the first known attempt by the Houthis to target the area around Mecca. Saudi authorities described it as the second such attempt, following a 2017 ballistic missile incident.

The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca or other religious sites. The group has nevertheless claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks on Saudi territory, which it has presented as part of its wider confrontation with Saudi Arabia and its allies.

The latest incident comes amid a broader escalation along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, with Houthi forces also targeting Saudi military and energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has vowed a firm response as the attacks continue.

The interception means the reported drone did not enter Mecca’s restricted airspace, and there were no reports of damage to the holy city from the incident.