Saudi Arabia calls attempted Mecca attack 'red line' as Iran-backed Houthis deny responsibility
Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels of attempting to attack Islam's holiest city, declaring Mecca a "red line" as the kingdom faced a new escalation in the widening Iran conflict.
Saudi authorities said they intercepted and destroyed a drone before it entered the airspace over Mecca, about 1,100 kilometres from Yemen's border. The Houthis denied launching drones toward the city.
The alleged attack drew condemnation from countries and organisations across the region, but there was no immediate indication that Saudi Arabia had sought military assistance from its allies.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and the world's largest oil exporter, faces attacks on its infrastructure and shipping from the Houthis, while Iran continues to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
A crucial Saudi oil pipeline has reportedly been out of operation for weeks amid the attacks, while crude prices have remained above USD 100 a barrel, adding pressure on the kingdom to secure both its oil export routes and military support.
Turkiye, Pakistan say Riyadh has not sought help
A new defence pact involving Saudi Arabia, NATO member Turkiye and nuclear-armed Pakistan has yet to be activated in response to the latest escalation.
Officials from Turkiye and Pakistan told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia had not requested assistance. A Turkish official said efforts to "institutionalise" the alliance also needed to be completed before the pact could become operational.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged attack and said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stood "unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder".
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which represents more than 57 Muslim countries, also condemned the incident, saying an attempt to target Mecca violated the "sanctity of holy sites".
It would be the second reported Houthi attempt to target Mecca. The rebels fired a ballistic missile toward the city in 2017, according to Col Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis.
US signals no immediate intervention
The United States has so far shown little indication that it intends to become directly involved in the latest confrontation.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the Houthis had contacted Washington and did not want to fight the US, adding that they appeared focused on Saudi Arabia.
Vice President J D Vance said Monday that Washington remained in "constant contact" with the Saudis and was also holding direct discussions with the Houthis.
"It is a very fluid and dynamic thing," Vance said.
Meanwhile, the Houthis on Wednesday claimed they had shot down an F-15 fighter jet operated by the Saudi-led coalition over Yemen's central Marib province. Houthi military spokesperson Brig Gen Yahya Saree did not specify when the alleged incident occurred.
The claim was made without evidence and could not be independently verified by AP. Saudi authorities and the Saudi-led coalition did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Elsewhere, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting China, Iran's biggest oil customer, with discussions expected to include the conflict and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had again offered Beijing's help in ending the Middle East conflict during the BRICS summit in New Delhi over the weekend.