* Coalition says security of Two Holy Mosques, pilgrims is ‘red line’; Houthis react
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah on Tuesday, September 15, before it entered the prohibited airspace of the holy city, prompting a strong warning from the Saudi-led Coalition that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”.
The incident occurred at about 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, who said the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces detected and destroyed the drone south of Makkah.
Saudi Gazette reported the coalition’s account on Wednesday, September 16, saying the drone was destroyed before entering the prohibited airspace of Makkah. Reuters and Al Jazeera also reported the Saudi account.
Al-Maliki described the incident as a second Houthi attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic missile incident in July 2017.
The coalition warned that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims would remain a “red line” and vowed to take the necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.
Al-Sudais condemns attacks
The incident also drew a response from the President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais.
BREAKING: The President of the Religious of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman As Sudais has strongly condemned the hostile attacks by the terrorist Houthi Militia on the Holy Sites in Makkah Al Mukarramah pic.twitter.com/tJF5U2IarQ
— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) September 15, 2026
Al-Sudais condemned what he described as attacks threatening the sacred sites, stressing the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the need to protect worshippers and pilgrims.
He said such aggression was contrary to the teachings and principles of Islam, which call for the protection of human life and prohibit aggression, bloodshed and corruption.
Al-Sudais also stressed the importance of relying on official sources for information and avoiding rumours amid the heightened security situation.
The Saudi religious affairs chief’s intervention came as authorities moved to reassure worshippers and residents following the security alert around Makkah.
Complete Statement pic.twitter.com/1VZa2PYeyn
— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) September 16, 2026
Houthis deny targeting Makkah
The Houthis have denied Saudi Arabia’s allegation that they targeted Makkah. A Houthi military source, in comments carried by the Houthi-run SABA news agency, denied that the group posed any threat to Makkah or other Islamic holy sites, according to Reuters.
Security alert issued around Makkah
The attempted drone interception came amid a broader escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities issued security warnings covering areas including Makkah, Jeddah and Taif as the attacks intensified.
On Monday, September 14, the coalition said Houthi ballistic missiles and drones had targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, injuring 13 civilians and damaging seven residential homes and two vehicles.
The attacks formed part of a wider escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis after a period of relative calm following the 2022 Yemen truce.
Previous Makkah incident
Saudi Arabia previously reported a Houthi ballistic missile launch toward Makkah in July 2017, which it said was intercepted before reaching the holy city.
The Saudi coalition has cited that incident as the previous attempt to target Makkah, making the September 15, 2026 drone interception the second such incident in its account. Reuters reported the same Saudi characterization.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.