Huthi Drone Shot Down Near Mecca Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia has shot down a Huthi drone near Mecca, Islam's holiest city, prompting swift regional condemnation of the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group.

The Huthis have denied targeting Mecca, saying their targets were Saudi oil facilities and military bases 'far removed from the holy places.'

This is the first time the Huthis have targeted Mecca in almost a decade, since a ballistic missile attack was intercepted in 2017.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the attempted attack, saying it violates the sanctity of holy sites and mosques.