Houthis Deny Targeting Mecca Amid Escalating Conflict with Saudi Arabia

A recent Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia has raised tensions in the region. According to reports, the drone was intercepted by Saudi air defenses south of Mecca before it could enter the city's prohibited airspace.

The incident is the second attempt by the Houthi rebels to target Mecca since a ballistic missile launch in 2017, with Saudi officials warning that the security of holy sites is a 'red line'.

Houthi leaders have denied targeting Mecca, calling the allegations an 'outright lie'. The group has been involved in escalating clashes with Saudi forces amid a push west to the coast.

The attack on Mecca has sparked concerns about the impact of the conflict on global oil supplies. A major pipeline linking Saudi Arabia's Gulf oil fields to the Red Sea was shut down after an attack last week, which could cut off up to 4% of global oil supply if prolonged.