Saudi Coalition Says Air Defenses Destroyed Houthi Drone South of Mecca

Saudi-led coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca at 6:50 p.m. on September 15, before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace. Al-Malki attributed the launch to Yemen’s Houthis and said it was the second attempt to target Mecca after a 2017 ballistic-missile incident. He reported no casualties or damage. Houthi political-bureau member Hazem al-Assad denied the attribution, calling claims that the group targeted Mecca a previously used ‘worn-out lie.’ No independent physical evidence was disclosed.