Iran has urged caution after Saudi Arabia said its air defence forces intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah, saying the incident should not be used to accuse a particular party without sufficient evidence.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on September 17 that any attack or threat against Islamic holy sites, including Makkah, Madina and Al-Aqsa Mosque, should be condemned.
At the same time, he said that a claim that a drone was intercepted while heading toward Makkah was not by itself enough to establish responsibility, particularly because the Houthis have denied targeting the holy city.
Saudi Arabia’s claim
- Saudi Arabia said its air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah on the evening of September 15, before it entered the restricted airspace around the holy city.
- Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki attributed the drone to the Houthis and said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims remains a major priority.
- Saudi authorities also issued security alerts in parts of the Makkah region during the wider escalation.
Houthis deny targeting Makkah
- The Houthis have rejected Saudi Arabia’s allegation that they attempted to target Makkah.
- A Houthi military source said Yemen does not pose a threat to Makkah or other Islamic holy sites and described the Saudi allegation as misinformation.
Iran calls for caution
- Baqaei said Iran supports protecting Islamic holy sites but warned against using their security to increase regional tensions.
- He also referred to the possibility of false flag operations. However, this was presented as an Iranian warning and has not been independently established as the explanation for the Makkah drone incident.
- At present, there is no confirmed independent evidence establishing another party as responsible for the drone.
Separate drone incident in Taif
- On September 17, Saudi Civil Defense reported that debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one Yemeni national and injured a Saudi citizen and a Pakistani national in Taif province.
- Vehicles and buildings were also reportedly damaged.
- The Taif incident is separate from the earlier Saudi announcement about the drone intercepted south of Makkah.
Regional tensions continue
- The exchange of accusations comes amid a wider escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen.
- Saudi Arabia has accused the Houthis of attacks against its territory, while the Houthis have denied targeting Makkah and have said their operations are directed at Saudi military and economic targets.
- The latest incidents have increased concerns about further escalation in the region.
