Riyadh, Sep 16 (V7N)- Saudi Arabia has described the attempted drone attack near Mecca as a "deliberate provocation" intended to offend the sentiments of Muslims and warned that it would take necessary measures against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group.
CNN reported the development on Wednesday (September 16).
Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said in a post on X that the incident would remain another "dark chapter" in what he described as a series of violations by the Houthi group.
He called the attempted attack a deliberate act aimed at hurting the sentiments of millions of Muslims and said Saudi Arabia would take "necessary and deterrent measures" against the Houthis.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the incident. The 57-member organization said such attempted attacks violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques and create fear among civilians.
The reported downing of a drone near Mecca comes amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Riyadh has accused the group of launching ballistic missiles and drone attacks against several Saudi cities earlier this week.
Saudi authorities said 13 civilians were injured in attacks targeting Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi military base on Sunday (September 13). The group has also accused Saudi forces of carrying out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday and Tuesday.
In recent months, the Houthis have intensified their military operations against Yemen's Saudi-backed government while expanding their territorial control.
Last week, the group claimed control of a port city on Yemen's Red Sea coast and an island located near a strategically important shipping route, adding to concerns over regional security and maritime traffic.
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