Saudi Arabia Declares Mecca a 'Red Line' After Houthi Drone Attack Attempt

Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a 'red line' after an attempted attack on the holy city by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, prompting condemnation from countries in the region. The kingdom accused the Houthis of firing drones toward Mecca, but they denied any involvement.

The Saudis said they intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the airspace over Mecca, which is about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from Yemen's border. This was the second attempted attack by the Houthis against Mecca, after a ballistic missile was fired toward the city in 2017.

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the rebels condemned the attempt, saying it violates the 'sanctity of holy sites'. Pakistan and Turkey also expressed their support for Saudi Arabia, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating that his country and the Saudis stand 'unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder'.

Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel as tensions escalate in the region. The Houthis have been targeting infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and its shipping on the Red Sea, where they have seized several islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.