Saudi air defenses intercept drone targeting Mecca airspace

Saudi air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by Houthi militants before it entered the restricted airspace over Mecca on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, confirmed that the drone was intercepted south of Mecca at 6:50 p.m. This incident marks the second time Mecca has been targeted, with the first being a ballistic missile launch on July 27, 2017.

The attack is deemed disgraceful, as it targets the birthplace of Islam and a destination for millions of Muslims worldwide, aiming to intimidate pilgrims and harm citizens and residents. Major General Al-Maliki emphasized that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors is a red line, and the Coalition will not hesitate to take necessary and deterrent measures against the Houthi terrorist militia and its hostile actions.

Brief written by urgent.news from Ajel English's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.