Saudi Arabia Says Drone Debris Killed One Person Amid Escalating Tensions
Saudi Arabia claims that debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one person and injured two others in Taif province. The incident occurred after Saudi authorities said they stopped a drone aimed at Mecca, Islam's holiest city.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi responded by calling for mass protests in Sanaa and other areas to show support for protecting holy mosques and rejecting the blockade of Yemen.
The conflict has pushed up global fuel prices, threatened Saudi oil exports, and rattled markets. The US State Department approved a $24.3 billion sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, citing improved security and stability in the Gulf region.