Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

Saudi Arabia's air defenses have destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen. This comes as fighting spreads throughout the Middle East, with the drone marking the second attempt by the Houthis to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch in July 2017, according to spokesperson Turki al-Malki.

The attacks are part of a week of aggression from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters, pushing Saudi Arabia deeper into the regional conflict. Mecca, home to some of the holiest sites in Islam, is a red line for Saudi security. Houthi officials have denied targeting Mecca, while Saudi Arabia has issued security alerts for the city. The attacks have caused shockwaves in global energy markets, with the Houthis seizing control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and threatening Saudi Arabia’s oil exports.