Saudi Arabia Claims Houthi Drone Attack Targeting Mecca; Houthis Deny 'False Claim'

The Saudi-led coalition announced on the 30th (local time) that Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attempted a drone attack targeting Mecca, Islam's holiest site, in Saudi Arabia.

The coalition stated in a release that it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Houthi rebels over the Mecca region in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi rebels have continuously carried out cross-border attacks using drones and missiles targeting Saudi military facilities, airports, and energy infrastructure, and the coalition views this latest attack as part of this ongoing series of provocations.

However, the Houthi rebels immediately dismissed the coalition's announcement.

Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi rebels, refuted the coalition's claims as false via social media platform X, maintaining that no military operations had been carried out toward Saudi territory that morning.

He emphasized, "The Houthi rebels' strike targets are limited to Saudi oil facilities and military bases."

In the past as well, the Houthi rebels dismissed accusations by the Saudi-led coalition that they launched drones targeting Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest sites, repeatedly denying that they have ever attacked the holy sites.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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