Mecca Put on Air-Raid Alert for First Time as Saudi Arabia Warns Houthis of ‘Red Line’

Saudi Arabia placed Mecca under aerial threat alert after authorities detected a Houthi drone nearby. The alert marked the first recorded aerial threat warning ever issued for Islam’s holiest city.

Saudi air defenses intercepted the drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace further. Authorities also briefly placed Jeddah and Taif under heightened security alerts during the incident western. The warning followed several Houthi attacks against Saudi territory using missiles and drones from Yemen. Those attacks have increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces operating directly inside Yemen. Saudi officials said their forces intercepted threats while protecting civilians, pilgrims, and infrastructure from attacks. Israeli newspaper Hayom reported that authorities temporarily halted flights bound for Medina airport on Tuesday.

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Rising Houthi Attacks Escalate Saudi Arabia’s Security Concerns

The reported disruption followed another attack that wounded thirteen people across Saudi territory recently yesterday. The Saudi-led coalition condemned the latest assault and described the targeting as a serious threat. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation spokesman Turki Al Maliki called the security of holy sites redline. He said the coalition would take necessary measures if Houthi attacks continued against Saudi territory. The Houthis rejected Saudi claims and called reports about targeting Mecca false and politically motivated. Houthi official Hazem Al Assad said previous claims had used similar accusations against the rebels.

He warned that Yemeni attacks would continue while Saudi forces maintained their ongoing military campaign. Meanwhile, Houthi forces launched a major recent missile and drone assault against Saudi Arabia. The attacks reportedly ignited fires at oil facilities and wounded dozens across affected Saudi areas. Houthi fighters also claimed they attacked King Khalid airbase using numerous missiles and drones. Fighting between Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces resumed after Yemen’s civil war intensified once again. The renewed conflict now threatens Red Sea shipping, regional security, and Saudi Arabia’s wider interests.

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