Saudi intercepts Houthi drone near Mecca, coalition condemns attack

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the Islamic holy city of Mecca on Tuesday evening, a strike the Saudi-led coalition called a “disgraceful act” and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation described as an unacceptable transgression.

Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, reported the interception and highlighted the targeting of Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest shrine. The coalition and international bodies expressed concern over strikes near the holy sites.

The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, with military spokesman Yahya Sarea saying their operations focus on Saudi oil facilities and military bases and are far removed from holy sites. He added the group had launched drones and missiles in response to more than 450 Saudi air strikes over the past week and claimed to have shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Marib province; there was no immediate confirmation from the coalition.

Saudi authorities issued multiple brief security alerts for incoming projectiles across western areas, including Mecca and Jeddah. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia advised reconsidering travel, citing Houthi attacks on cities, infrastructure, airports, military and diplomatic facilities, and energy sites.

The Houthis have seized parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the port city of Mokha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and said they would target vessels from Saudi Arabia while denying threats to international shipping. Separately, damage to Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline forced its closure after a strike the kingdom blamed on Iran-backed militias in Iraq; US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil flow was expected to resume within days.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis, sources told CBS News. The US has provided intelligence and targeting support while declining direct military involvement, a senior US administration official said.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting where Yemen’s government and Saudi Arabia called for decisive measures against the Houthis, citing risks to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and global supply chains. The International Organization for Migration reported more than 90,000 people displaced by recent fighting, and the World Health Organization said at least 500 people were reported killed since early August, including 297 in the previous week.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The reported interception near Mecca, competing claims from Saudi-led coalition officials and Houthi spokesmen, and recent Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast are presented in official statements and situational reports. International reactions included travel advisories and emergency UN Security Council discussions focused on navigation and regional stability.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening.
• Houthi spokesmen deny targeting holy sites and say their strikes respond to over 450 Saudi air raids.
• Houthi advances included capture of Mokha and Perim Island; concerns raised about Red Sea navigation and pipeline damage disrupted Saudi oil flow.