Saudi Arabia says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca; warns of ’red line’ over holy sites

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 16, 2026: The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Wednesday accused the group of attempting to target Mecca, after Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the holy city.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the drone was destroyed before it could enter prohibited airspace over Mecca. He described the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims as a “red line” and said the coalition would take necessary measures against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia had issued security alerts across parts of the country, including Mecca, on Tuesday following a series of attacks by the Iran-aligned group. It was the first such alert reported in Mecca since the conflict began in February.

The coalition said the incident marked the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch in 2017 that Saudi authorities said was aimed at the holy city.

The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or posing a threat to Islamic holy sites. Houthi spokesperson Hazem al-Assad dismissed the allegation on X, calling it a “worn-out lie”.

Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and home to sites sacred to Muslims worldwide. It is also the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The Houthis control parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key global shipping route. The group has claimed several attacks on Saudi targets over the past week, describing them as retaliation for Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.