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

Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a 'red line' after accusing Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels of attempting to attack Islam's holiest city. The kingdom intercepted and destroyed a drone that was heading towards Mecca, about 1,100 kilometers from Yemen's border.

The Houthis denied firing drones towards Mecca, but Saudi Arabia says the drone was intercepted before it entered the airspace over the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. This is not the first time the Houthis have targeted Mecca - in 2017, they fired a ballistic missile towards the city.

Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel as the conflict escalates, with Saudi Arabia's crucial pipeline reportedly shut down for weeks due to Houthi attacks on infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea. Iran is still targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, further disrupting oil trade.

The US has indicated it will not get involved in the conflict, with President Donald Trump saying the Houthis appear focused on the Saudis rather than engaging with the US. Turkey and Pakistan have also offered no military support to Saudi Arabia, despite a defense pact between the three countries.