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Saudi Arabia Says Houthi Drone Targeted Mecca, Houthis Deny
Saudi Arabia said it stopped a drone flying toward Mecca.
Mecca is one of Islam’s holiest cities.
The drone was destroyed before it entered the city’s restricted airspace.
A Saudi military spokesperson said the drone was launched by the Houthis.
He said the act was meant to frighten people and upset Muslims.
A Houthi official denied that Mecca was the target.
The incident happened during a period of renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The fighting has also affected Saudi military sites and oil transport routes.
The disagreement could increase tensions in the region.
Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki called the incident a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims and threaten worshippers, residents, and citizens.
Houthi political bureau member Mohammed al-Farah denied that the group targeted Mecca, calling the allegation an “outright lie.”
The coalition said the incident was the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch in July 2017.
The interception came amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, including attacks on Saudi military and energy infrastructure.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia’s air defenses and Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki; the Houthis were accused, while Houthi official Mohammed al-Farah denied the accusation.
- What
- A drone was intercepted south of Mecca before entering the city’s prohibited airspace.
- Where
- South of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before the drone entered the holy city’s restricted airspace.
- When
- The interception occurred Tuesday evening at about 6:50 p.m.; Saudi Arabia reported it on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia said the drone was intended to provoke Muslims and threaten people near Mecca; the Houthis said the accusation was false.
Saudi Arabia and Coalition Account
Houthi Denial
Intended target
Saudi Arabia and Coalition Account
Saudi Arabia said the drone was launched toward Mecca and described the incident as a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims and threaten worshippers, residents, and citizens.
Houthi Denial
Houthi official Mohammed al-Farah denied that the group targeted Mecca and called the allegation an “outright lie.”
Meaning of the incident
Saudi Arabia and Coalition Account
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said Mecca’s security was a red line and characterized the alleged attack as a disgraceful act.
Houthi Denial
The Houthis rejected Saudi Arabia’s account but the provided reports do not give a separate Houthi explanation for the drone’s intended destination.
Key facts
- Incident
- A Saudi air defense system destroyed or intercepted a drone south of Mecca.
- Time
- Tuesday at approximately 6:50 p.m.
- Location
- South of Mecca, before entry into prohibited airspace.
- Saudi accusation
- The drone was launched by the Houthis and deliberately aimed toward Mecca.
- Houthi response
- Houthi official Mohammed al-Farah denied targeting Mecca and called the claim an outright lie.
- Earlier alleged attempt
- The Saudi coalition described this as the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca, after a July 2017 ballistic missile launch.
- Wider context
- The incident followed renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and escalating fighting in the region.
Quotes
Major General Turki Al-Malki
Spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen-based Houthis
“This can only be described as a disgraceful act, an attempt to target the birthplace of revelation, the land of the message, and the destination that draws the hearts of millions of Muslims from around the world. It was also an attempt to terrorise the Umrah performers visiting the Grand Mosque in peace and to harm citizens and residents.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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