Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca, calling it a 'red line'

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of launching an attack on the holy city of Mecca. The Saudi government reported that it intercepted a drone heading toward the site, which serves as a destination for millions of pilgrims. Following the incident, Saudi officials declared the city a "red line" and characterized the attempted strike as a "cowardly" act.

The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have denied the allegations, labeling the Saudi statement a "lie." This incident occurs amid an ongoing conflict in which Saudi Arabia has faced large-scale Houthi strikes since early September, marking a significant escalation in the regional hostilities.