A drone launched by Houthi militants was intercepted by Saudi air defenses on Tuesday evening before it could enter restricted airspace over Mecca. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki confirmed the destruction of the unmanned aircraft, describing the act as an attempt to terrorize worshippers. Saudi Arabia declared the security of the Two Holy Mosques a red line, while the Houthis dismissed the allegations as a heinous lie and worn-out propaganda.
- Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca on Tuesday evening.
- Debris from the drone killed one Yemeni resident and critically injured a Pakistani national in Taif.
- China urged Iran to restrain Houthi militants to protect global energy routes.
- Houthi forces seized Mokha, Dhubab, and Perim Island along the Red Sea coast.
The incident resulted in casualties: Saudi Civil Defence reported that debris from the intercepted drone killed a Yemeni resident in Taif and critically injured a Pakistani national. This marks the first confirmed death within the Kingdom during the latest wave of fighting. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Thursday condemning the attempted targeting of Mecca as a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty, pledging full solidarity with Riyadh. Further condemnations were voiced by Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, and the Arab Parliament. Iran, meanwhile, condemned attacks on holy sites in principle while questioning the origin of the drone.
Simultaneously, Houthi forces have advanced along the Red Sea coast, seizing Mokha, Dhubab, and Perim (Mayun) Island at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. This tactical move places the Houthis in control of a vital energy artery, compounding the existing pressure from Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. According to three Iranian sources, Saudi Arabia requested Chinese intervention, leading Beijing to privately press Tehran to restrain the Houthis to protect global energy routes. Iran responded by stating that regional stability requires an end to what it terms the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The conflict has led to the displacement of more than 100,000 Yemenis, according to the UN's IOM. Tensions have also stalled regional diplomacy, with Saudi Arabia asking Oman to postpone a Monday meeting regarding a potential Hormuz shipping corridor, following Bahrain's refusal to attend. Oil markets have reacted with volatility, prompting Saudi officials to offer additional cargo via ship-to-ship transfers near Oman to reassure Asian refiners.
