Yemen's Houthis Deny Saudi Allegations of Drone Attack Near Mecca, Calling Claims 'Lies and Fabrications'

SANAA / RIYADH — Yemen’s Houthi movement has strongly rejected allegations made by the Saudi-led coalition that it launched an uncrewed aerial vehicle (drone) toward the Islamic holy city of Mecca, dismissing the claims as groundless fabrications designed to manipulate public sentiment.

In an official statement released via Telegram, Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree asserted that the group’s cross-border military actions exclusively target Saudi energy infrastructure and military installations, maintaining that Islamic sacred sites are not on their operational agenda.

Conflicting Accounts on Mecca Airspace

The denial follows an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition stating that its air defense systems had detected, tracked, and neutralized a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening before the projectile could breach the designated restricted airspace surrounding the holy city.

Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the coalition, labeled the reported attempt a "hostile and terrorist act," issuing a stern warning that the safety of the Two Holy Mosques and visiting pilgrims remains an inviolable "red line." Al-Malki pointed out that this marked another provocative incident of its kind, drawing parallels to a ballistic missile launch reported in July 2017.

In response, Saree rejected the coalition’s narrative, accusing Riyadh of manufacturing threats against the holy sites to distract from ongoing military campaigns in Yemen.

"The fabrications and lies promoted by the Al Saud regime regarding the targeting of the Honorable Mecca cannot deceive anyone," Saree said, emphasizing that Yemeni forces have no intention of threatening religious sanctities and that their operations are focused strictly on oil facilities and military airbases located far from holy grounds.

Counterclaims of Airstrikes and Downed Aircraft

Beyond denying the Mecca drone attempt, the Houthi spokesperson levied counter-allegations against the coalition, claiming that Saudi aircraft had conducted over 450 airstrikes across multiple Yemeni governorates throughout the week. According to Saree, these sorties were flown by F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets originating from airbases in Khamis Mushait and Taif, reportedly causing civilian casualties.

Saree additionally claimed that Houthi air defense units had successfully downed a Saudi F-15 combat aircraft over Marib province using a locally engineered surface-to-air missile, and later engaged two subsequent fighter formations sent to locate the wreckage, forcing them to withdraw. Coalition officials have not confirmed the loss of an aircraft.

Rising Tensions Across the Region

The dispute highlights an intensifying cycle of escalation between the Houthis and regional adversaries. The confrontation unfolds against broader friction across West Asia, where Houthi forces have repeatedly targeted commercial maritime corridors in the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, alongside periodic cross-border strikes against military and economic infrastructure in neighboring territories.

International observers and regional governments have expressed deep concern over any potential spillover threatening holy sites, urging restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities across the region.

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