Saudi Arabia Draws 'Red Line' Over Mecca After Houthi Attack Attempt

Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a 'red line' after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels allegedly attempted to attack the holy city. The kingdom, a key US ally, needs a safe outlet for its crude and military assistance in the face of growing threats from the Houthis and their backers in Tehran.

The Houthi rebels denied firing drones towards Mecca, but Saudi officials claim they intercepted and destroyed one before it entered airspace over the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. This is not the first time the Houthis have targeted Saudi infrastructure, they have been seizing islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and attacking oil shipping in the Red Sea.

The attempted attack has prompted condemnation from countries in the region, including Turkey and Pakistan, which are part of a new defense pact with Saudi Arabia. However, officials from both countries told the AP that they have not received a request for support from the Saudis.