India expresses concern over reported drone attack near Mecca
India on Wednesday voiced deep concern over a reported drone attack near Mecca in Saudi Arabia, urging an early return to peace and stability across West Asia.
Saudi authorities said air-defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement before it could enter restricted airspace near the holy city on Tuesday evening. The Houthis have rejected the allegation, maintaining that they have no intention of threatening Mecca or other Islamic holy sites.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the reported incident was especially concerning because of Mecca’s importance to Muslims worldwide.
“India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure,” Jaiswal said, adding that New Delhi hoped for the “early restoration of peace and stability in the region.”
The reported incident came amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control significant areas of Yemen. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the drone south of Mecca. He described the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims as a “red line.”
Saudi Arabia briefly placed several areas along its western coast, including Mecca, on security alert on Tuesday. The alert was lifted within minutes, according to reports.
A Houthi military source, speaking through Yemen’s SABA news agency, denied that the group had targeted Mecca. The source said there was no threat from Yemen directed at the city or any other holy site.
The Saudi-Houthi conflict has its roots in the Yemen war that escalated in 2015, when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened after Houthi forces seized Sanaa and displaced the internationally recognised Government.
India has repeatedly raised concerns about attacks affecting civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping in the region. On Tuesday, New Delhi reiterated its opposition to such attacks and said strikes against Saudi economic assets could undermine regional stability and maritime navigation around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The issue also featured in discussions between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit on September 13.
India had last week condemned reported Houthi attacks on Saudi Aramco energy facilities, which Saudi authorities said left 73 people injured. Previous Houthi attacks have also targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a major infrastructure link capable of carrying oil across the kingdom.
