Key facts
- Saudi coalition forces destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca.
- The US reiterated its strong support for Yemen's government against Houthi aggression.
- The UAE condemned the attempted drone attack on Mecca and affirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
- Qatar condemned the drone attack as a shameful act of aggression.
- Turkey strongly condemned the attempted attack targeting Mecca.
- The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, accusing Saudi Arabia of fabrications and lies.
Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Wednesday evening, according to coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki. Al-Malki described the targeting of Mecca, which houses Islam's most sacred shrine, as a "disgraceful act."
Qatar condemned the drone attack as a "shameful act of aggression," stating that the sanctity and security of holy sites must not be targeted and supporting Saudi Arabia's measures to protect its territory. Turkey's Presidency spokesperson also strongly condemned the attempted attack, emphasizing the importance of preserving Mecca's peace and security for the Islamic world. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called for an immediate stop to attacks threatening regional stability and reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty.
The top US diplomat for Yemen, Neil Hop, told Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba that the US maintained its “strong support” for Yemen’s internationally recognised Saudi-backed government. The US embassy cited Hop as saying in a post on X that "The United States of America stands in solidarity with the Yemen government and its people against Iran-backed Houthi aggression."
The UAE's Foreign Ministry also condemned the Houthis’ attempted drone attack on Mecca, affirming solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its security and stability.
However, the Houthis denied targeting Mecca, accusing Saudi Arabia of "fabrications and lies." Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated that their operations target "oil facilities and military bases" and are "far removed from the holy places." Sarea claimed the Houthis launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia in retaliation for over 450 Saudi air strikes in the past week.