{
  "id": 7723551,
  "title": "Saudi says Houthis targeted Mecca with a drone, Iran-backed group rejects claim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/saudi-says-houthis-targeted-mecca-with-a-drone-iran-backed-group",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T06:31:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNBC",
    "slug": "cnbc",
    "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/16/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthis accused the rebels of targeting the holy city of Mecca with a drone. According to the coalition, its forces intercepted and destroyed the drone south of Mecca before it entered the prohibited airspace over the holy city.\n\nThe Houthis, who are backed by Iran, rejected the accusation, calling it a \"lie\" and a \"worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone\". Hazem al-Assad from the Houthis' politburo made the statement on X.\n\nThe incident sparked outrage across the Muslim world, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemning the strike as a \"heinous\" attack. The Saudi coalition vowed retaliation, warning that the security of holy sites was a \"red line\" and that it would take necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
        "title": "PM condemns 'dastardly and heinous' attempted drone attack on Makkah, reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/pm-condemns-dastardly-and-heinous-attempted-drone-attack-on-makkah",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:02:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Saudi says Houthis target Makkah, warn of 'red line'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/saudi-says-houthis-target-makkah-warn-of-red-line",
        "published": "2026-09-16T04:37:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "War: OIC reacts as Houthi forces attack holy city of Mecca",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/war-oic-reacts-as-houthi-forces-attack-holy-city-of-mecca",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:48:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Houthi drone near Mecca: Saudi Arabia draws ‘red line’ — has Makkah Pact been tested?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/houthi-drone-near-mecca-saudi-arabia-draws-red-line-has-makkah-pact",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:05:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Saudi-led coalition says Houthis targeted Makkah with drone, warns of 'red line'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/saudi-led-coalition-says-houthis-targeted-makkah-with-drone-warns-of",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:10:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Saudi says Houthis targeted Mecca with a drone, Iran-backed group rejects claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/saudi-says-houthis-targeted-mecca-with-a-drone-iran-backed-group-7728997",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:38:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}