Saudi-led coalition claims to have destroyed a Houthi drone heading to Mecca.
Xinhua News Agency, Riyadh, September 16 (Reporter Luo Chen) - Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, stated on the 16th that Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a drone from the Yemeni Houthi armed group that was heading towards Mecca on the evening of the 15th.
In a statement on social media, Al-Maliki said that this was another attempt to attack Mecca following the ballistic missile attack launched by the Yemeni Houthis in July 2017. The statement strongly condemned this action and indicated that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures.
The Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a statement condemning the Houthi attacks on Mecca and Medina, and supporting Saudi Arabia in taking all measures to defend its national security and sovereignty.
Hizam Al-Asad, a member of the political bureau of the Yemeni Houthi armed group, stated on social media on the 16th that the allegations regarding the Houthis using drones to attack Mecca are "lies."
Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a drone targeting Mecca on September 15. This action is part of ongoing efforts to protect the city from Houthi attacks, which have been condemned by the Saudi-led coalition. Houthi officials have denied the allegations of an attack on Mecca.
- Saudi-led coalition intercepted a drone targeting Mecca.
- The drone was linked to Houthi forces from Yemen.
- This incident follows a previous missile attack in July 2017.
- The coalition condemned the attack and pledged deterrent measures.
- Houthi officials denied the accusations of targeting Mecca.