Houthi Drone Intercepted Near Makkah, Saudi Arabia Warns Holy Sites Are Red Line

RIYADH: Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone attributed to the Houthi militia south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted on Tuesday evening and described the security of Makkah and Islam’s holy sites as a “red line.” He warned that Saudi Arabia would take necessary measures in response to threats against the holy sites.

Houthi Militia Denies Targeting Makkah

The Houthi militia has denied targeting Makkah.

Houthi official Mohammed al-Farah rejected the Saudi allegation, describing it as false, while another Houthi spokesperson later also denied that the group had targeted the holy city.

Saudi authorities had issued security alerts for Makkah and Jeddah on Tuesday following a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi militia. The alerts were subsequently lifted.

Second Reported Incident Near Holy City

Al-Malki said the intercepted drone represented the second reported Houthi attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic-missile incident that Saudi authorities said occurred in July 2017.

The latest incident comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting, with the Houthi militia expanding its operations against Saudi targets in recent days.

The group has claimed responsibility for several attacks inside Saudi Arabia, including an attack on an air base, which Saudi officials said wounded civilians.

Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Tensions

The escalation is also unfolding along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, where the Houthi militia has reportedly seized territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The waterway is a major international shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and disruptions there could affect global trade and energy shipments.

The Houthi militia’s territorial gains have also raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s oil-export routes, particularly after disruption to the Kingdom’s East-West pipeline.

Saudi Arabia Faces Growing Security Pressure

Saudi Arabia has come under increasing security pressure as attacks attributed to the Houthi militia have expanded beyond military targets to areas near major cities and energy infrastructure.

The latest incident near Makkah has heightened concerns because of the city’s religious significance and the presence of the Grand Mosque and Kaaba.

At the same time, the Houthi militia’s denial means the circumstances and intended target of the drone remain disputed.

The incident adds another layer to the wider regional conflict, with Saudi Arabia facing attacks from Yemen while also seeking greater coordination with regional and international partners over the security of its territory, energy infrastructure and maritime routes.