Saudi Arabia Claims It Shot Down Houthi Drone Near Mecca; Rebels Deny Targeting Holy City

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Houthi rebels south of the holy city of Mecca. The Saudi-led military coalition stated that the UAV was brought down before it could violate restricted airspace over the Islamic site. However, the Iran-aligned rebel group has denied responsibility for the incident.

Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the coalition, described the protection of Islam’s two holiest sites and the safety of pilgrims as a “red line.” He warned that the coalition would implement necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis. Al-Malki noted that this incident marked the second attempt by the rebels to target Mecca, referencing a ballistic missile launch in July 2017.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement on Wednesday strongly condemning what it called a “heinous” attack by the Houthi group against Makkah and the Medina region. In a simultaneous response, a Houthi official dismissed Saudi allegations of an attack on Mecca as a “lie.” Despite the denials, reports from Iranian state media indicated that several explosions were heard on Qeshm island, located near the Strait of Hormuz, with local sources suggesting the sounds originated from the sea.

In a related development regarding regional military support, US media reported that the American federal government is preparing to approve a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel. According to the Washington Post, the deal involves the sale of approximately 40,000 one-ton bombs, including MK-84s, BLU-117s, and I-2000 Penetrator warheads, funded by US taxpayers. A State Department spokesperson told AFP that policy prevents confirmation of proposed arms sales until they are formally notified to Congress, while a senior administration official confirmed that all foreign arms sales are proceeding through appropriate channels.

These events follow escalating tensions in the region, including recent Houthi attacks in southern Saudi Arabia that wounded 13 civilians. In response, Saudi Arabia has vowed to hit back firmly. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently met in Cairo to discuss security and navigation freedom in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea.