Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Drone South of Mecca

Saudi Intercepts Drone Near Mecca

Saudi authorities stated that Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards Makkah before it entered restricted airspace. [1] Turki al-Maliki, the Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the hostile drone south of Makkah on Tuesday evening. [1] He warned that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”. [1] Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Tuesday for Makkah for the first time since the Houthis last attempted to target the holy city in 2017. [1] The alert, however, was lifted after a few minutes. [1] The drone attack targeting Makkah is being seen as a major escalation in renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have taken control of key territories close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in recent days. [1]

Houthi Denial and Counter-Claim

The Houthis denied launching any drone at Mecca, rejected Saudi claims as lies, and stated they do not pose a threat to Makkah or other holy sites. [1] A Houthi military source strongly rejected the claim that Houthi forces pose a threat to Makkah or other holy sites in a statement issued to Yemen’s SABA news agency. [1] “We categorically deny that there is any threat from Yemen directed at the city of Makkah or any other holy sites,” the person said. [1] The Houthis swiftly rejected as a “lie” Riyadh’s early morning statement that it had shot down a drone heading towards Mecca. [3] The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi drone in the eastern Saudi Arabian city of Haradh. [2]

Saudi Airstrikes on Yemen

Saudi Arabia carried out 40 airstrikes across Yemen in the last 24 hours, including two strikes on the Al-Barh bridge in southwestern Yemen early Thursday, the second time the bridge was hit in two days. [2] Saudi Arabia struck the Al-Barh bridge in southwestern Yemen early on Thursday morning. [2] Two airstrikes were carried out on the bridge, the reported said, adding that this was the second time Al-Barh had been targeted in the last two days. [2] Saudi planes have carried out 40 airstrikes across Yemen in the last 24 hours. [2] Yemen’s Houthis reported fresh Saudi airstrikes on Wednesday, as Riyadh accused the group of launching a “cowardly” attack targeting Islam’s holy city of Mecca. [3] Renewed fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government has dragged in the kingdom, after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi ships in the Red Sea. [3]

Indian Reaction

The incident prompted India to express deep concern, condemn attacks on Saudi territory, and call for early restoration of peace in West Asia, citing the special significance of Mecca to Muslims worldwide. [1] India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over an attempted drone attack on the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia and called for the early restoration of peace and stability in West Asia. [1] “We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. [1] “The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world.” [1] India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure, Jaiswal said. [1] “We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” he said. [1] India had on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure amid the West Asia conflict and said strikes on Saudi Arabia’s economic assets by the Houthis undermine regional stability and navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [1] The issue of Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia figured in a meeting between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on the margins of the Brics Summit on September 13. [1] Last week, India condemned Houthi attacks on the energy facilities of oil giant Saudi Aramco that injured 73 people. [1] The Houthis have also attacked Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline, resulting in the temporary closure of the facility and affecting up to 5% of global oil supply. [1]

Context of Escalating Conflict

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis dates to 2015, when Saudi forces intervened in Yemen after the rebels seized the city of Sanaa and ousted the internationally recognised government. [1] The drone incident is viewed as a major escalation amid renewed hostilities, with Houthis having taken control of territories near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [1] Saudi Arabia issued and quickly lifted a security alert for Mecca, the first since 2017. [1] The strikes come amid escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. [2] Renewed fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government has dragged in the kingdom, after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi ships in the Red Sea. [3]

International and Regional Implications

The accusation prompted a chorus of outrage from around the Muslim world. [3] The drone attack targeting Makkah is being seen as a major escalation in renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. [1] He warned that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”. [1] The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world. [1]

What to watch next: Renewed fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government has dragged in the kingdom after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi ships in the Red Sea, with the Houthis having taken control of key territories close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in recent days.