Saudi Arabia Says Houthi Drone Was Heading Toward Makkah
Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of attempting to target the holy city of Makkah with a drone, a claim that has been rejected by the Houthis.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, its forces intercepted and destroyed a drone that was allegedly heading toward Makkah. The development has added to tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis amid renewed fighting in Yemen and growing security concerns in the Red Sea region.
The Houthis have denied the accusation, with a member of the group’s political leadership describing Saudi Arabia’s claim as false.
Saudi Coalition Issues Warning
The Saudi-led coalition said the security of the two holy mosques and the safety of pilgrims remain a major security concern.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the forces would take what they described as necessary measures in response to threats against the Kingdom and its holy sites.
Saudi authorities had already issued alerts earlier in the week over possible attacks in Makkah and parts of the country’s southern region near the Yemeni border.
The latest developments come after missile and drone attacks launched from Yemen reportedly injured people in southern Saudi Arabia.
Houthis Reject Saudi Claim
The Houthis have denied attempting to target Makkah.
A Houthi political official rejected the Saudi account on social media and said the group had not targeted the holy city.
The competing claims have not been independently verified.
OIC Condemns Reported Incident
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 Muslim-majority countries, condemned what it described as an attack targeting Makkah.
The reported incident has drawn attention across the Muslim world because Makkah is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, which attract millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world.
Rising Tensions in Yemen and the Red Sea
The latest incident comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen. The Houthis have expanded their military activity in areas along the Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia has increased its security response.
The situation has also raised concerns about maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically important waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called for the continued security and freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and other key regional waterways.
Any prolonged disruption in the Bab al-Mandab Strait could affect international shipping and trade routes, while also putting additional pressure on Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues.
Pakistan Condemns Reported Attempt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he described as an attempted drone attack against Makkah.
In a statement shared on social media, the prime minister expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and praised the country’s armed forces for responding to the reported threat.
He also called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation in the region, stressing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
Humanitarian Situation in Yemen
The renewed fighting is also worsening the humanitarian situation in Yemen. According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes since the beginning of September as fighting intensified along parts of the country’s western coast.
The conflict remains a major regional security concern, with developments in Yemen increasingly affecting Saudi Arabia, Red Sea shipping and other countries connected to the region’s trade routes.
