Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city. The report was issued by a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Iran-aligned group in Yemen.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the strike as a heinous attack on Islam's holiest site and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. While five people were reportedly killed as the escalation between the two sides continues to spiral, Saudi Arabia stated that one person was killed by drone shrapnel.
The Iran-backed Yemeni rebels denied targeting the city in their escalating campaign against the key U.S. ally. In response, coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki stated that the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and the safety of pilgrims are a red line, adding that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.