Saudi Arabia Accuses Huthi Rebels of Targeting Mecca
Saudi Arabia has accused the Huthi rebels of crossing a 'red line' by attempting to target Mecca, Islam's holiest city. The accusation came after Saudi forces shot down a Huthi drone near the city on Tuesday.
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, stated that the security of Mecca is a 'red line', and the kingdom will not hesitate to take necessary measures against the Yemeni group. The claim was strongly denied by the Huthis, who revere Mecca as a sacred city.
The Huthis' military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said their targets were Saudi oil facilities and military bases 'far removed from holy places'. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the incident, stating that it violates the sanctity of holy sites and instills fear in innocent civilians.
The Huthi rebels have recently stepped up their fighting against Yemen's Saudi-backed government, capturing a Red Sea port city and an island near an important waterway. The kingdom has suspended oil loadings at its primary Red Sea export terminal, Yanbu, after it came under attack from militant groups within Iraq.