Saudi coalition says it destroyed Houthi drone near Mecca

The Deccan Herald reports that Saudi Arabia's air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday. According to the Saudi-led military coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki, the drone was prevented from entering prohibited airspace over the holy city. Malki stated that the security of Islam's holy sites and pilgrims is a red line and warned that the coalition would take deterrent measures. Meanwhile, a Houthi military source denied that the group posed any threat to Mecca or other holy sites.

The Economic Times reports that Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday before it could enter prohibited airspace. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki characterized the security of Islam's holy sites as a red line and promised deterrent measures against the Houthis. The report notes that this incident follows a week of increased attacks by Iran-aligned fighters. In contrast, a Houthi military source denied that the group intended to target Mecca or any other holy sites.

The Hindu reports that Saudi Arabia air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki described the incident as the second attempt to target the holy city and declared its security a red line. Houthi officials denied the accusations, with a political bureau member calling the claim an outright lie. The article also notes broader regional conflicts affecting oil exports and global energy markets.

The Deccan Herald reports that the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthi movement of targeting Mecca with a drone, which air defences intercepted south of the holy city on Tuesday. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki warned that the security of Islam holy sites is a red line and vowed deterrent measures. Meanwhile, Houthi officials strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as a worn-out lie and asserting the group posed no threat to Mecca.

The Deccan Herald reports that Yemen's Houthi movement claimed to have shot down a Saudi Arabian F15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally made missile. The article details that this event followed Saudi reports of intercepting a Houthi drone near Mecca, which coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki warned crossed a red line regarding holy sites. Furthermore, Houthi officials strongly denied targeting Mecca, dismissing the accusation as a worn-out lie and asserting that their operations focus strictly on military bases and oil facilities.

The Sowetan reports on regional geopolitical tensions, noting that Saudi Arabia's crown prince visited Egypt to secure diplomatic support amid Houthi rebel attacks affecting global oil supplies and shipping routes. The article states that Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca, while Houthi-run health officials claimed separate Saudi airstrikes killed civilians in Yemen. Additionally, the piece covers US military actions against Iranian boats and broader regional conflicts involving Israel and Hamas.

The Sunday Guardian reports that Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the downing of a Saudi Arabian F-15 fighter jet over the Marib Governorate using a locally produced missile. The article outlines Houthi claims regarding subsequent air confrontations and a heavy Saudi bombing campaign across multiple Yemeni provinces in retaliation for cross-border drone strikes. Additionally, the piece notes that the Saudi Ministry of Defense has not confirmed the loss of the aircraft while international observers and open-source networks track the escalating hostilities.