The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday, September 16, that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace, describing the incident as the group’s second attempt to target the city.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said the interception took place at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. He condemned the attempted attack as a threat to the sanctity of Mecca and the safety of Muslim worshippers.
Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of deliberately seeking to provoke Muslims worldwide, terrorize pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque, and endanger citizens and residents. He stressed that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors was a “red line.”
According to the spokesperson, the incident marked the Houthis’ second attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch on July 27, 2017. He said the coalition would not hesitate to take necessary measures to deter the group.
The statement did not identify a specific intended target inside Mecca or report any casualties or damage resulting from the interception.