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The Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia -- Photo: Baxtel

Makkah: Saudi Arabia has said its air defence forces destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis towards Makkah on Tuesday evening before it could enter the restricted airspace around the holy city.

Saudi led coalition spokesperson Turki al Maliki said the incident threatened the safety of worshippers and civilians. He warned that protecting the two holy mosques and pilgrims was a red line for Saudi Arabia.

Security alert issued

Saudi authorities briefly issued a security alert in Makkah on Tuesday, the first such alert since a reported Houthi attempt to target the holy city in 2017. Similar alerts were also activated in Taif and Jeddah before being lifted.

The Houthis denied targeting Makkah or any other Islamic holy site. A Houthi military source told Yemen’s SABA news agency that there was no threat from Yemen towards the holy city and rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim as misinformation.

Fighting intensifies

The latest incident comes amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The conflict began in 2015 after the Houthis seized Sanaa, prompting Saudi Arabia to intervene in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

A UN brokered truce in April 2022 largely stopped Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, but fighting has intensified again since July. The Houthis have also declared a blockade on Saudi shipping and expanded their control along areas of the Bab al Mandeb coastline.

Earlier this month, the Houthis launched missiles and drones towards locations across Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has accused the group of targeting civilian and economic sites, while the Saudi led coalition has vowed a firm response to recent attacks that injured 13 people in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif.