Saudi-led coalition says Houthis targeted Makkah with drone, warn of 'red line'

The Saudi-led coalition announced on Wednesday that the Houthi rebels had targeted the holy city of Makkah with a drone, drawing widespread condemnation and intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region. The Houthis have been responsible for escalating hostilities, including the blockade of Saudi ships in the Red Sea and seizing control of the Red Sea coast and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The coalition vowed retaliation, emphasizing that the security of holy sites is a "red line" and will not tolerate any threat. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the attack as "heinous." Saudi Arabia had issued alerts regarding potential attacks in Makkah and other areas of the kingdom. Fighting between the Houthis and the Yemeni government has resulted in the displacement of 82,000 people since early September, according to the United Nations.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that there is no threat to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab, which could impact trade and energy security if attacked.