Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthi group of attempting to send drones targeting Mecca, before Saudi air defenses intercepted them south of the holy city, warning against crossing a "red line." The Houthis denied the claims as lies, while the Saudi-led coalition warned it would take retaliatory measures as the Yemen conflict expands, affecting key shipping routes in the Red Sea.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government said Saudi air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed Houthi drones south of Mecca before they could enter the restricted airspace over the holy city.
Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki, coalition spokesperson, stated that the security of Islam's two holy mosques and the pilgrims is a "red line," affirming that the coalition will take necessary and deterrent measures against the Houthi group.
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and home to sacred sites revered by Muslims worldwide. It also hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which draws millions of Muslims each year.
Al-Maliki noted this incident was the second attempt by the Houthis to target Mecca; the previous occurred in July 2017 when the coalition said the Houthis fired long-range missiles toward the area.
However, the Houthis denied Saudi Arabia's accusations. Hashem al-Assad, a political office member of the group, posted on X that the claims of attacking Mecca are "lies" repeatedly used, and the Houthis have no intention of threatening Mecca or any Islamic holy sites.
The latest tensions come amid intensified fighting in Yemen after the Iran-backed Houthis launched a major offensive against government forces in July, drawing Saudi Arabia back into the neighboring country's conflict after a stalemate since 2022.
The United Nations estimates that since early September, about 82,000 people have been displaced due to fighting, while Yemen's permanent UN representative Abdullah al-Saadi called on the international community to take action against the Houthis.
On 15 Sep 2023 GMT+7, Saudi Arabia issued security warnings in Mecca and multiple southern border areas adjoining Yemen. The alert in Mecca was the first since the Middle East war erupted in February. The day before, missile and drone attacks from Yemen injured 13 people in southern Saudi Arabia.
In addition to air attacks, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and attacked Saudi ships in the Red Sea after seizing wide coastal areas of Yemen along the Red Sea, including near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Control of these areas raises concerns over Saudi Arabia’s oil transportation routes, which rely on sea passages to avoid the Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East war tensions affecting navigation through this strategic strait.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called for guarantees of freedom and safety of navigation through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Qatar warned that closure of Bab el-Mandeb could severely impact the global economy.
Instability in the Red Sea also pressures Egypt’s Suez Canal, a key national revenue source, with current canal revenues about half their pre-2023 levels, a period when the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, causing global oil prices to rise above $100 per barrel.
The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of conducting 52 airstrikes in Yemen within 24 hours before Tuesday, claiming some targets were civilian areas including schools and bridges. Saudi Arabia asserted it will take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty.
A U.S. official revealed that U.S. task forces are enhancing intelligence sharing and planning support to Saudi forces amid ongoing fighting and increasing risks to regional shipping routes.
/sourceAl Jazeera/Reuters