Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi drone near Mecca

The Saudi‑led coalition in Yemen has accused the Houthi movement of launching an attack on the Islamic holy city of Mecca, describing the strike as a “disgraceful act.” The coalition said the operation, which it claims caused damage to religious sites and threatened pilgrims, was carried out by Houthi forces using missiles launched from Yemeni territory.

The Houthis issued a statement denying any involvement, asserting that they have never targeted Mecca or any other sacred locations and condemning the coalition’s allegations as unfounded. The group emphasized its focus on military objectives within Yemen and reiterated its commitment to protecting Islamic sites. The dispute comes amid ongoing hostilities between the coalition and the Houthis, which have escalated in recent weeks, raising concerns about the security of religious landmarks and the safety of pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season.