Saudi Arabia’s military coalition says an air defence system intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone before it entered restricted airspace around Makkah.
Saudi Arabia’s military coalition said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone that attempted to enter restricted airspace around Makkah, amid heightened security concerns across parts of the kingdom.
According to the coalition, the drone was detected and brought down before it could enter the prohibited airspace surrounding the holy city. The coalition said protecting Islam’s two holiest mosques remains a “red line” and warned that necessary measures would be taken against the Houthis to safeguard the holy sites and Saudi territory.
Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the incident marked the second reported attempt by the Houthis to target Makkah.
He referred to an earlier incident in July 2017, when a ballistic missile was reportedly launched toward the holy city. Saudi authorities at the time said the missile had been intercepted before reaching Makkah.
The latest reported drone incident comes as Saudi Arabia remains on heightened alert following a series of warnings and attacks involving drones and ballistic missiles.
On Tuesday night, warning sirens were activated in Jazan, Abha and Khamis Mushait after reports of potential attacks. The alerts were later withdrawn after the immediate threat had passed.
A day earlier, Houthi forces launched multiple ballistic missiles and drone attacks toward Saudi Arabia, according to Saudi authorities. The attacks reportedly injured 13 civilians.
The developments have increased security concerns in areas of Saudi Arabia that have previously faced threats linked to Houthi attacks. Saudi authorities have continued to monitor and respond to reported aerial threats as part of measures to protect civilian areas and critical sites.
The coalition’s latest statement specifically highlighted the security of the holy sites in Makkah, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding any reported attempt to approach the restricted airspace around the city.
The claims about the drone interception and the reported attacks were made by Saudi authorities and the military coalition.
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