Houthis Escalate Attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the holy city of Mecca and disrupting oil supplies. On September 15, a Houthi drone was destroyed by Saudi air defenses before it could enter Mecca's airspace, just five days after the Houthis took over islands guarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The attack on Mecca is seen as a red line by Riyadh, and Saudi Arabia views this incident as a black mark in the record of violations by the Houthi militia. Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that the threat near Mecca was 'a red line.'

The Houthis' goal is to send a message to Saudi Arabia that they are dominant, despite Saudi air superiority. The recent drone threat and previous attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure have caused concern about oil supplies and prices.