India 'deeply concerned' over alleged Houthi drone attack near Mecca, calls for regional peace

NEW DELHI: India expressed deep concern on Wednesday over a drone attack near Mecca in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the city's immense significance to Muslims around the globe. The country's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, firmly condemned the incident, reiterating that any attack on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or any action endangering civilian lives and infrastructure is unacceptable.

Jaiswal highlighted that the attack near Mecca is particularly concerning due to the city's unique religious importance to Muslims worldwide, and expressed hope for the swift restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Saudi Arabia reported that its air defenses intercepted and neutralized a Houthi drone south of Mecca earlier in the day, before the unmanned aerial vehicle managed to breach the holy city's restricted airspace. The Saudi military spokesperson, Turki al-Malki, dismissed Mecca as a "red line" and warned of repercussions against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Meanwhile, the Houthis refuted the claims of targeting Mecca, with their spokesperson Hazem al-Assad dismissing the allegations as baseless lies, which have been debunked repeatedly.

Mecca, home to the revered Kaaba, serves as the pilgrimage destination for millions of Muslims annually, and Muslims all over the world orient themselves towards the Kaaba while praying. As the custodian of Islam's holiest sites, Saudi Arabia's role is central to its standing within the Muslim world. This alleged attack comes at a time when Saudi Arabia faces mounting pressure from the Houthis, who have escalated attacks on the kingdom and its interests in the Red Sea, while Iran, supporting the Houthis, has also targeted ships in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, a key Saudi oil pipeline has reportedly been offline for weeks due to attacks on the infrastructure, adding to worries for the world’s leading oil exporter amid the ongoing pressure on shipping through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.