Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Drone Near Mecca

Saudi Arabia’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group near the holy city of Mecca, the Saudi-led coalition said.

Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said the drone was detected and destroyed at around 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday (September 15), before it could enter restricted airspace. Debris from the drone later fell south of Mecca.

Al-Malki said it was the Houthis’ second reported attempt to target Mecca. He recalled that a ballistic missile was launched toward the city on July 27, 2017.

A day earlier, the Saudi-led coalition said Houthi missile and drone attacks had injured 13 civilians in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. Seven houses and two vehicles were also damaged.

The latest incident comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen. The conflict began after the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and several provinces in 2014. In 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.