By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 17, 2026
Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the Islamic holy city of Mecca on Tuesday evening, according to Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Al-Maliki described the reported targeting of the area around Mecca as a “disgraceful act.” Mecca is home to the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred shrine and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 member states, also condemned what it described as attacks targeting Mecca and Medina province.
The organisation said attacks against the two areas, which contain Islam’s holiest sites, constituted an “unacceptable and intolerable transgression.”
Houthis Deny Targeting Mecca
The Houthis, an Iran-backed armed group that controls large parts of western Yemen, denied targeting Mecca.
Military spokesman Yahya Sarea accused Saudi Arabia of making “fabrications and lies” and said the group’s military operations were directed elsewhere.
“There is no threat whatsoever from Yemen to the holy sites. Our operations target their oil facilities and military bases, and are far removed from the holy places,” Sarea said.
Sarea claimed the Houthis had launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia in response to more than 450 Saudi air strikes on Houthi-controlled territory during the previous week.
He also claimed that Houthi forces had shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Marib province in Yemen.
There was no immediate response from the Saudi-led coalition to that claim.
Saudi Arabia Issues Security Alerts
On Tuesday, Saudi authorities issued several brief security alerts warning of incoming projectiles in western parts of the country, including Mecca and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city.
The reported incident comes amid continued military exchanges between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have carried out attacks against Saudi targets during the conflict in Yemen.
Al-Maliki said the Saudi-led coalition would take further action if necessary.
The coalition spokesman said its forces would “not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and its hostile and terrorist behaviour”.
US Embassy Issues Travel Advisory
The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a “reconsider travel” advisory amid the reported attacks.
The embassy warned that Houthi attacks had targeted a range of locations and infrastructure, including cities, airports, military bases, diplomatic facilities and energy installations.
The reported drone interception has heightened concern over the security of areas surrounding some of Islam’s most important holy sites, although the Houthis continue to deny that they are targeting those locations.
Sources
BBC News