Saudi Arabia announced that on Tuesday, it downed a Houthi drone on the outskirts of Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. This action has been met with a strong regional reaction against the Yemeni rebel group supported by Iran.
Recent developments and Houthi threats
According to Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition forces, this is the first time the Houthis have targeted Mecca in nearly a decade. The last similar attack was successfully repelled in 2017.
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The Houthis quickly rejected the threat to Mecca, with Yahya Saree, the group's military spokesperson, stating that their targets are oil facilities and military bases in Saudi Arabia that are "far from sacred places."
Reactions and potential consequences
The rapid advancement of the Houthis in Yemen and their recent attacks on Saudi Arabia have placed this Gulf kingdom in a difficult position and increased the likelihood of being drawn into a wider conflict. Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, hosts millions of Muslims from around the world each year who come to perform Hajj.
Al-Maliki stated in this regard: "This hostile attempt will also be a black mark in the record of violations by the Houthi terrorist militias, which have deliberately provoked the feelings of millions of Muslims." He also promised that "necessary and deterrent" actions would be taken against these rebels.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also condemned this attack, stating that these attacks "violate the sanctity of holy places and mosques" and "create fear among innocent civilians."
This attack comes as the Houthis continue their assaults on various cities in Saudi Arabia, including Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, and last week claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi military base.
In response to these attacks, Saudi forces conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Saturday and last Tuesday.
The Houthis have recently intensified their clashes and expanded their control over more areas in Yemen. Last week, they seized a port city on the Red Sea and an island near a vital waterway that had served as a support for the Strait of Hormuz for months.
This pressure on shipping in the Red Sea has raised concerns about the closure of key oil export routes in the region. Oil prices rose again last week, surpassing $100 per barrel.
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