Saudi Arabia Claims Houthi Drone Targeted Mecca; Iran-Backed Group Denies Allegation
Saudi Arabia reported that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis near Mecca, marking the first time fighting has reached Islam's holiest city since the conflict began. The Saudi-led coalition condemned the alleged attack as an attempt to provoke Muslims globally. In contrast, Houthi representatives dismissed the claim as false, calling it a 'worn-out lie.' The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also criticized the incident, denouncing what it described as ongoing aggression against Saudi Arabia and attacks on Mecca and Madinah. The situation has heightened tensions in an already volatile Middle East region amid stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations over reopening critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation adds pressure to oil markets, which have been affected by recent disruptions including a Houthi blockade and damage to Saudi Arabia's key pipeline infrastructure. Despite some recovery in oil transit through the Hormuz Strait, flows remain below pre-war levels.
Topics: Houthis Mecca security Middle East conflict Saudi Arabia