Saudi Arabia Draws Red Line on Mecca as Iran-Backed Rebels Escalate Conflict

Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a 'red line' after accusing Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels of attempting to attack the holy city. The kingdom, a key US ally, condemned the attempted drone attack and warned that it would not tolerate any further threats to its territory or security.

The Houthis denied firing drones toward Mecca, but Saudi officials said they intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the airspace over the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. This was the second attempted attack by the Houthis against Mecca, with a ballistic missile fired toward the city in 2017.

Turkey and Pakistan have offered support to Saudi Arabia, but officials from both countries told AP that they have not received a request for military assistance. The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015, with significant backing from the US.

The conflict has disrupted oil shipments through the Red Sea and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel. Iran's top diplomat is currently visiting China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, to discuss the conflict and shipping on the Strait of Hormuz.