World · World News Bureau
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi drone near Mecca holy city
Saudi Arabia's air defence system shot down an unmanned aircraft south of Mecca on Friday, according to the kingdom's military coalition. The Houthi movement denied launching an attack on the Islamic holy site.
LSN World News ·
The Saudi-led military coalition operating in Yemen said it successfully intercepted a drone in airspace near the holy city of Mecca. Coalition officials characterized the alleged attack as a "disgraceful act" by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement, which has conducted multiple aerial operations against Saudi targets in recent years.
The Houthis swiftly rejected accusations that they had targeted Mecca, one of Islam's holiest sites. The group's denial comes as tensions remain elevated in the region following years of conflict in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition has been engaged in military operations against Houthi forces since 2015.
The incident marks the latest in a series of drone and missile attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and regional interests. Air defence systems have previously intercepted numerous unmanned aircraft and projectiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward targets across the border.
The exchange of accusations reflects the continued volatility of the conflict in Yemen, where civilian infrastructure and major population centers have frequently been affected by military operations. International observers have expressed concern about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing tensions and the risk of escalation in the strategically important region.