Saudi air defence forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group in the vicinity of the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday. According to the Saudi-led coalition, the interception occurred at approximately 6:50 p.m. local time (1550GMT), preventing the unmanned aerial vehicle from entering prohibited airspace. The resulting wreckage landed south of the city, which is considered the holiest site in Islam.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki confirmed the incident, labelling the Houthis as a terrorist militia and emphasizing that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims who visit them represents a non-negotiable red line. Al-Malki vowed that the coalition would take necessary measures to deter any future attempts at aggression. He also noted that this was the second such attempt by the Houthis to target Mecca, referencing a previous ballistic missile launch directed at the city on July 27, 2017. Conversely, the Houthi group has rejected the coalition's report, claiming they did not dispatch any drone toward the holy city.
This latest encounter follows a period of heightened regional tension. Just one day prior, the coalition reported that 13 civilians sustained injuries during a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to the Houthis, which targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, resulting in damage to seven homes and two vehicles. The conflict in Yemen has intensified since early July, ending a period of relative stability. The war, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces, saw the intervention of the Saudi-led Arab coalition in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government.
Recent developments have seen the Houthis declare a maritime blockade on Riyadh and target vessels in the Red Sea. Having secured control over Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al Mandab Strait last week, the group has dealt a significant blow to government forces while also striking Saudi oil infrastructure, which has contributed to global crude prices rising above the $100 threshold.
