The Saudi-led coalition said a drone was intercepted and destroyed near Mecca at 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The coalition said the drone was neutralized before entering the no-fly zone and that its wreckage fell south of the city.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki alleged that the drone had been sent by the Houthis in Yemen. Al-Maliki said it was the second attempt to target Mecca and recalled the ballistic missile launched toward the city on July 27, 2017.
Describing the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of pilgrims as a red line, al-Maliki said measures would be taken to deter similar attacks.
Houthis reject the accusation
Hizam al-Asad, a senior member of the Houthis' Supreme Political Council, denied the accusation that Mecca had been targeted. Al-Asad described the claims as “a disgusting lie that has been used before and no longer deceives anyone.”
Previous attacks injured 13 civilians
The coalition said that 13 civilians were injured in missile and drone attacks carried out by the Houthis against the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif one day before the incident. The attacks damaged seven homes and two vehicles.
Conflict in Yemen escalates again
Clashes between forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government and the Houthis have escalated again since early July, following years of relative calm.
The war in Yemen began after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and some provinces in 2014. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in 2015 to support the internationally recognized government.
