Saudi says Houthis target Mecca, warn of ‘red line’

Saudi Arabia's coalition forces have accused Yemen's Houthi rebels of targeting the holy city of Mecca with a drone, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. This comes after the rebels seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial shipping route for Saudi oil exports. The Houthis have denied the drone attack allegations, calling them a "worn-out lie," and vowed retaliation, warning that the security of holy sites is a "red line" that will not be tolerated.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack, and Saudi Arabia had issued alerts on Tuesday over possible attacks in Mecca. The conflict in Yemen has forced 82,000 people to flee their homes since September, and the UN has called on the international community to take action against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called for free navigation in the Red Sea following the rebels' offensive, as the waterway is vital for Saudi oil exports.

Any disruption in the Red Sea could impact Egypt, as the Red Sea serves as the gateway to the Suez Canal, a crucial source of foreign revenue for the Egyptian economy.