Saudi Arabia says it shot down Houthi drone south of Mecca - BBC

**Saudi forces intercept Houthi drone near Mecca**

Riyadh’s air defence command confirmed on Friday that a hostile unmanned aerial vehicle launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels was shot down south of the holy city of Mecca. The Ministry of Interior said the drone entered Saudi airspace at a “high speed” and was detected by the kingdom’s integrated air‑defence system, which engaged the target at an altitude of roughly 7,000 metres. No casualties or damage were reported, and the incident occurred in the vicinity of the **Taif‑Mecca corridor**, a heavily monitored route that connects the Red Sea coast to the interior. The Saudi armed forces have repeatedly warned that any breach of the airspace surrounding Islam’s holiest sites will be met with decisive action.

The Houthi movement, which has been engaged in a protracted conflict with the Saudi‑led coalition since 2015, claimed responsibility for the launch, stating that the drone was intended to “punish the aggressors” and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. In a separate statement, the group alleged that it had also downed a Saudi fighter jet earlier in the week, a claim that Saudi officials have denied and for which no independent verification has emerged. The episode follows a spate of aerial incursions by the Houthis, who have increasingly employed commercially available drones and missiles to target Saudi infrastructure, oil facilities and, more recently, sites of religious significance.

The latest interception comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the broader U.S.–Iran rivalry, which has intensified scrutiny of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes. Analysts note that the Houthis’ growing capability to strike deep inside Saudi territory reflects both Iranian support and the coalition’s challenges in containing the insurgency. While Saudi Arabia has declared a “red alert” for Mecca—a first in its modern security history—the kingdom has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding pilgrims and maintaining the safety of the annual Hajj season, which begins next month. International observers have called for de‑escalation, warning that any further attacks near holy sites could inflame sectarian sentiment across the Muslim world.