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 targeting of Mecca, which houses Islam's most sacred shrine, as a "disgraceful act." The 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned attacks on Mecca and Medina province, where Islam's second holiest shrine is located, labeling them as an "unacceptable and intolerable transgression."
In response, the Houthis, an Iran-backed armed group controlling much of western Yemen, denied targeting Mecca and accused Saudi Arabia of spreading "fabrications and lies." Military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated, "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 also noted that the Houthis had launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia in retaliation for over 450 Saudi air strikes on their territory in the past week. He claimed they had shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Marib province.
While there was no immediate response from the Saudi-led coalition, Maj Gen Maliki indicated that coalition forces would take necessary measures against the Houthi militia. On Tuesday, Saudi authorities issued security alerts for incoming projectiles in several western areas, including Mecca and Jeddah.
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a "reconsider travel" advisory, warning of Houthi attacks targeting cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic facilities, and energy facilities. The Houthis have recently gained control of significant areas along Yemen's Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, including the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Houthis claimed they posed no threat to international shipping but reiterated their intention to target vessels from Saudi Arabia, which relies on the Red Sea for oil exports. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, used to transfer crude oil from the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, was closed after being damaged in a strike attributed to Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Some experts estimate repairs could take over a month, though US Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted oil would flow through it within days.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis, although Trump has declined direct military involvement, offering intelligence and targeting support instead. A senior Trump administration official stated, "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability."
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday, where Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia called for decisive action against the Houthis, accusing them of choking the Bab al-Mandab Strait to apply economic pressure. Council members agreed on the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea to prevent disruption to global supply chains.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 90,000 people have been displaced in Yemen due to the conflict between the Houthis and pro-government forces. IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that families are being forced to flee multiple times, often with little left. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported at least 500 deaths since the beginning of August, including 297 in the previous week.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa. The conflict escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the government's rule. The fighting has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 22 million people in need of aid, according to the UN. A ceasefire that had been in place for four years began to deteriorate in July, when the Houthis announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and initiated missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea, citing retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in their territory.