Yemen’s Houthi rebels have rejected allegations that they launched a drone towards Saudi Arabia’s Mecca region, following an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aircraft over the area.
The group’s spokesperson, Yahya Saree, denied any involvement in an operation targeting Saudi territory on Friday, distancing the rebels from the reported aerial incursion.
In a statement published on X, Saree maintained that the group’s military operations were directed at oil installations and military bases, rather than the target identified by the Saudi-led coalition.
The denial followed an earlier announcement by the coalition that its air defences had successfully neutralised a Houthi drone over the Mecca region.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident, the Houthis separately claimed responsibility for six attacks on airports and energy installations across Saudi Arabia.
According to Saree, the alleged strikes targeted strategic commercial and military facilities in different parts of the kingdom, including areas along its eastern and western coasts, the capital, Riyadh, and the southern province of Najran.
The conflicting accounts have further heightened concerns over regional security, particularly as the latest developments unfolded against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic efforts involving Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Senior Saudi and Iranian officials reportedly met in Tehran earlier this week in a rare diplomatic engagement aimed at easing tensions and addressing regional disagreements through dialogue.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan were also reported to have participated in the meeting, raising expectations of closer regional cooperation and a possible reduction in hostilities.
Despite the diplomatic overtures, tensions remain elevated, with Houthi forces continuing to feature prominently in the security crisis surrounding Saudi Arabia and the wider conflict in Yemen.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the reported drone interception, as well as the Houthis’ claims of six separate attacks, remain unclear, with neither account independently verified.
