Several areas along Saudi Arabia’s western coast, including the holy city of Mecca and the governorates of Jeddah and Taif, were briefly placed on alert after an alleged Houthi drone threat, according to a report by NDTV.
The incident reportedly marked the first time an aerial threat alert was issued in Mecca, raising concerns amid renewed fighting between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces.
Saudi Air Defences Intercept Drone Near Mecca
The alert was reportedly triggered after Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace.
According to a report by Israeli newspaper Hayom, air traffic bound for Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina was also halted.
The development came amid escalating tensions involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The rebel group has reportedly declared a maritime blockade against the kingdom and targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
13 People Injured in Earlier Attack
The reported alert came a day after the Houthis allegedly wounded 13 people in Saudi Arabia in an attack involving ballistic missiles and drones launched from Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis condemned the attack, describing it as “heinous.”
Turki Al Maliki, a spokesman for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line.” He added that the coalition would take necessary measures to deter further attacks.
Houthis Deny Targeting Mecca
The Houthis rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that a drone had been heading towards Mecca.
Hazem al-Assad, a member of the Houthi politburo, described Riyadh’s account as false in a post on X.
“The claims about targeting Mecca are a worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone,” al-Assad wrote.
The Houthis later claimed that they had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet during operations in Yemen’s Marib province. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the aircraft had been targeted with a locally produced air-to-air missile. The claim has not been independently verified.
Renewed Saudi-Houthi Conflict
The latest escalation follows some of the Houthis’ most significant missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in years.
According to the supplied report, Houthi attacks set oil facilities ablaze and wounded 73 people. On Monday, a Houthi strike in western Yemen reportedly killed eight government soldiers, according to two military sources.
The Houthis also claimed to have launched a large-scale attack involving dozens of ballistic missiles and drones targeting King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia.
The conflict intensified after the Yemeni civil war reignited in July. The Houthis subsequently announced a maritime blockade against Riyadh and began targeting Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
Regional Concerns Over Red Sea Shipping Route
The escalation has raised concerns about the security of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Qatar warned that any closure of the strait could have severe global consequences. Foreign ministry official Ibrahim Al Hashmi reportedly described such a development as “catastrophic for the entire world.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to intervene in the conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with competing claims from Saudi authorities and the Houthis regarding the alleged drone incident and subsequent military developments.
