Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of attacking Mecca, declares red line

Saudi Arabia accused Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels on Wednesday of launching an attack on the holy city of Mecca, a claim the insurgents promptly denied. The allegation comes as Saudi forces, a key U.S. ally, have faced a surge of large‑scale Houthi strikes since early September, prompting Riyadh to label any assault on Mecca a “red line” in the escalating regional conflict linked to the broader Iran‑Saudi rivalry.

The Saudi government has not released detailed evidence of the alleged strike, but officials warned that violations of the red line would trigger a decisive response. The Houthis, who control large portions of northern Yemen, have repeatedly denied targeting civilian or religious sites, emphasizing that their operations are directed against Saudi military assets. As the confrontation deepens, both sides remain poised for further escalation, underscoring the fragile security situation surrounding Islam’s holiest city.