Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Drone Aimed at Mecca, Group Denies Targeting Holy City

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the interception of a Houthi drone aimed at Mecca, though the militant group insists it never targeted the Muslim holy city. The Saudi-led coalition announced on Friday morning that coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki confirmed the drone was "intercepted and destroyed." This latest incident comes as hostilities between the Riyadh-backed Yemen government and Iran-backed Houthis escalate sharply. Al-Malki also revealed that a missile aimed at western Saudi Arabia had been brought down earlier in the day.

The Houthis rejected the accusation immediately. A spokesperson stated that the group’s cross-border attacks remain strictly focused on Saudi energy and military infrastructure, denying any intent to strike Mecca or its surroundings. "Our operations target [Saudi] oil facilities and military bases, and there is no longer anyone in this world who believes these fabrications and lies propagated by the criminal Al Saud regime," the Houthi spokesman wrote.

This is not the first time the coalition has accused the Houthis of launching drones towards Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. The conflict shows no sign of slowing down. Humanitarian agencies warn that conditions for civilians are worsening as strikes continue.

The violence accelerated rapidly over the weekend. On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition reported destroying a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards the kingdom’s eastern region. In a separate incident, two ballistic missiles launched towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh, were also intercepted and destroyed.

Regional tensions remain high. Members of the Mecca defence alliance are currently in Tehran attempting to defuse tensions between Iran and the US, as well as broader Yemen-related conflicts. Meanwhile, the Egyptian parliament has authorized military aid for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition continues to report downing Houthi missiles and drones aimed at the kingdom.