Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the city, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen. The interception occurred on Tuesday evening and marks the second attempt by the Houthis to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch in July 2017. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki stated that the recent drone attack is part of a series of assaults from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters, which have escalated tensions in the region.
Mecca is significant in Islam, being home to some of the holiest sites and the focal point of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Al-Malki emphasized that the security of Mecca is a “red line.” Houthi officials have denied any intention to target the city, with Mohammed al-Farah, a member of the Houthi political bureau, calling the allegations “an outright lie” through the Houthi-run SABA news agency.
Recent attacks on Saudi Arabia have affected global energy markets, particularly amid ongoing tensions related to the US-Iran conflict, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis have gained control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, threatening Saudi oil exports that have been rerouted due to the conflict.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia issued security alerts for Mecca, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for several attacks on Saudi targets over the past week, including an air base attack on Monday that resulted in injuries to 13 civilians, according to coalition officials.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has attributed a separate attack on Friday to a pro-Iranian group in Iraq, which affected the East-West Pipeline, a crucial oil transport route. The 745-mile pipeline connects Saudi Arabia’s Gulf oil fields to the Red Sea and has been vital for exports amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the attack, traders indicated that a prolonged closure could impact up to 4% of global oil supply. Saudi Arabia has not provided a timeline for the resumption of operations, but US Energy Secretary Chris Wright mentioned that crude oil should be flowing through the pipeline within days.
Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition against the Houthis since 2015, with the conflict recently reigniting after the Houthis advanced against Yemeni government-aligned forces. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contacted US President Donald Trump last week to request military support, which has thus far been limited to intelligence assistance.