Saudi Arabia claims Houthis tried to attack Mecca

RIYADH/SANAA — Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted a drone allegedly launched by the Houthi group south of Mecca before it entered the prohibited airspace of the holy city, authorities said on Wednesday.

The drone was destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces on Tuesday evening, said Turki Al-Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The incident marked the second attempt to target Mecca, following a previous attempt involving a ballistic missile in July 2017, he said.

The security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a "red line", he said, adding that the coalition would take necessary measures against the Houthi group.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack".

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also decried the attack, saying it threatened civilians and violated the sanctity of holy sites and mosques.

Attacks against holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure constitute terrorism that runs counter to Islamic values and international norms, principles and law, the OIC said.

An official from the Houthis rejected the allegation on Wednesday.

"The claims about targeting Mecca are a worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone," Hazem al-Assad wrote on X.

As hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group entered a new phase of intensified air operations and cross-border attacks, the Houthis said on Wednesday that it had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen's Marib Governorate.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the fighter jet was struck by a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile while conducting "hostile operations" in support of Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in Marib.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the Houthi statement, and the reported downing of the aircraft could not be independently verified.

Sarea added that Saudi Arabia had launched more than 450 airstrikes this week. In response, the Houthi group targeted an Aramco facility in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, as well as the Khamis Mushait air base in southern Saudi Arabia.

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