Saudi-led coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Makkah

The Saudi-led military coalition reported that a Houthi drone was destroyed south of Makkah on Tuesday evening, approximately 6:50pm local time. The coalition spokesman, Maj Gen Turki Al Malki, stated that this was the second attempt by the Houthis to target the holy city since a ballistic missile launch in July 2017. Video footage allegedly showed a bright object illuminating the night sky near a mosque, followed by a powerful explosion.

However, the authenticity of the video has not been confirmed. The security of Makkah and its visitors was emphasized as a red line by Maj Gen Al Malki, and the coalition vowed to take action against the Iran-backed Houthis and their hostile behavior. In response, the Houthi political bureau denied any targeting of Makkah, calling the claim an outright lie.

They accused Saudi Arabia of using the allegation to rally Muslims against Yemen and to deflect from the conflict. The situation escalated as the Houthi militia intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, following their swift gains along the western coast of Yemen. This has drawn Riyadh into a broader regional conflict, with the Houthis seizing strategic territory and raising concerns over maritime security and Saudi oil exports.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia has faced attacks on critical infrastructure, including the shutdown of a 1,200-kilometer oil pipeline following drone strikes allegedly originating from Iraq.