Houthis Say They Downed a Saudi Fighter Jet and Deny Targeting Mecca

The Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi rebels have exchanged conflicting reports regarding military operations near the holy city of Mecca. The coalition accused the Iran-backed Houthi militia of launching a drone toward the site, describing the act as a violation of a 'red line' that has sparked widespread outrage. In response, the Houthi group denied the allegations, labeling the report a lie, and claimed to have successfully downed a Saudi fighter jet.

The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, as the Saudi-led coalition has vowed retaliation for the alleged targeting of a major Islamic holy site. While the coalition frames the event as a dangerous provocation, the Houthi leadership maintains that the claims are false, further deepening the regional tensions surrounding the war.