Saudi Arabia Downs Houthi Drone Near Mecca as 57-Nation OIC Condemns Alleged Attack
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 16
Saudi Arabia Downs Houthi Drone Near Mecca as 57-Nation OIC Condemns Alleged Attack
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 16
Summary
Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a Houthi drone before it entered Mecca’s restricted airspace, calling the holy city’s security a “red line” and warning of deterrent action.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree denied targeting Mecca, saying the group aimed at Saudi oil facilities and military bases “far removed from the holy places.”
The incident drew swift backlash from the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation and from Pakistan, whose prime minister called it a “dastardly and heinous” act while backing Riyadh.
The interception came after Houthi missile and drone attacks on several Saudi cities injured 13 civilians and as the group said Wednesday it struck an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
That escalation is deepening pressure on Saudi Arabia as fighting in Yemen and the wider US-Iran war disrupt Red Sea oil exports, with no Saudi crude tracked leaving Red Sea ports since Saturday.