Saudi Arabia says Houthis target Mecca, warns of 'red line'

A Saudi Arabia-led military coalition battling Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis accused the rebels of targeting the holy city of Mecca on Wednesday, sparking outrage throughout the Muslim world amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. "The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line, and the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the Terrorist Houthi Militia," the coalition said in a statement shared by spokesman Turki al-Maliki on X. According to the statement, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone "launched by the Terrorist Houthi Militia" before it entered the airspace of the holy city.