Saudi Arabia Shoots Down Houthi Drone South of Mecca
Saudi Arabia's military intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The drone targeting was deemed 'a disgraceful act' by Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the coalition in Yemen. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, citing their operations are focused on oil facilities and military bases.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack, describing it as an 'unacceptable and intolerable transgression.' The US embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a 'reconsider travel' advisory due to Houthi attacks on cities, infrastructure, airports, and energy facilities. Yemen has been embroiled in civil war since 2014, with more than 90,000 people displaced.
The conflict escalated in 2015 after the Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the government's rule. The fighting has reportedly left over 150,000 dead and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than 22 million people in need of aid. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted oil would flow through a damaged pipeline within days.