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Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group south of Mecca before it could enter the holy city’s restricted airspace, the Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday.
Coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al-Malki said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50pm local time on Tuesday, September 15.
The wreckage fell south of Mecca, according to Saudi authorities.
Al-Malki described the incident as the second reported attempt by the Houthis to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch towards the city in July 2017.
He said that the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line” and warned that the coalition would take necessary measures to deter further attacks.
The Houthis, however, denied that they had targeted Mecca, with a spokesperson rejecting the Saudi claim.
The incident came amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said 13 civilians were injured in recent missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif.
The latest incident has heightened security concerns around Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and a major destination for Muslim pilgrims from around the world.
