Saudi-led coalition says downed Houthi drone heading for Mecca, Houthis deny

RIYADH, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi air defenses intercepted a drone launched by the Houthi group south of Mecca before it entered the prohibited airspace of the holy city, authorities said on Wednesday.

The drone was destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces at 6:50 p.m. local time (1550 GMT) on Tuesday, Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government, said in an X post.

Al-Malki said the incident marked the second attempt to target Mecca, following a previous attempt involving a ballistic missile in July 2017.

He stressed that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a "red line," adding that the coalition would take necessary measures against the Houthi group.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack in a statement, saying the attacks threatened civilians and violated the sanctity of holy sites and mosques.

Attacks against holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure constitute terrorism that runs counter to Islamic values and international norms, principles and law, it said.

An official from the Houthis rejected the allegation on Wednesday.

"The claims about targeting Mecca are a worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone," Hazem al-Assad wrote on X.