Saudi Arabia says Houthis-launched drone destroyed near Mecca, group denies

AI Summary

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched toward the region around Mecca, while Yemen’s Houthi movement denies targeting the city. The competing claims raise security concerns around a major pilgrimage destination.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels near Islam’s holiest city, a claim the Houthis denied. A coalition spokesman, Major General Turki al-Malki, said the drone was intercepted in the region surrounding Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and a destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims each year. In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied carrying out any operations targeting Mecca, saying the group’s military...