Saudi Arabia, Houthis Escalate Attacks; Drone Downed Near Mecca

Saudi air defenses shot down a drone aimed at the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition said, calling the security of Islam's two holiest sites a "red line." The Houthi movement, known as Ansar Allah, denied responsibility for the launch.

Hours later, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said Saudi forces carried out 40 air strikes in 24 hours across the Yemeni provinces of Taiz, Marib, and Hodeidah. He added that the coalition had conducted hundreds of strikes in recent days.

“The security of the two holy Islamic mosques and their visitors constitutes a red line.”

The escalation follows the rebels' capture of nearly Yemen's entire Red Sea coast last week, tightening their control over the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait linking Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.

Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's internationally recognized government, has faced intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks since the war reignited in July. Unnamed regional officials told the Associated Press that Saudi air defense stocks are running low, prompting requests for help from France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt.

Houthi media also released footage claiming to show the wreckage of a downed Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province, though Riyadh has not commented and the claim remains unverified.