RIYADH: Saudi air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi militia before it entered the prohibited airspace around the Holy City of Makkah, according to a statement by the official spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Major General Turki Al-Malki, official spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the drone at 18:50 on Tuesday, September 15.
قيادة القوات المشتركة للتحالف: قوات الدفاع الجوي الملكي السعودي اعترضت ودمّرت طائرة مسيّرة حاولت دخول المجال الجوي للعاصمة المقدسة (مكة المكرمة).https://t.co/ddrg6HJ7ji#واس pic.twitter.com/KCqSZdiW2p
— واس العام (@SPAregions) September 15, 2026
“At 18:50 on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the terrorist Houthi militia before it entered the prohibited airspace area of the Holy City of Makkah. The hostile drone was intercepted in southern Makkah,” Al-Malki said in the statement, according to SPA.
The statement said the drone was intercepted in southern Makkah before reaching the prohibited airspace around the Holy City.
Second Reported Attempt
According to Al-Malki, the incident marked the second reported attempt to target the area around Makkah, following a ballistic missile incident in July 2017.
The coalition spokesperson described the latest incident as a hostile act and said it could have threatened worshippers, Umrah performers, residents, and visitors to the Holy City.
” This hostile and terrorist act is the second attempt to target Makkah, following the first attempt with a ballistic missile on July 27, 2017,” he said and added that this can only be described as a disgraceful act, an attempt to target the birthplace of revelation, the land of the message, and the destination that draws the hearts of millions of Muslims from around the world.
Security Of Holy Sites
Al-Malki said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of Umrah performers remained a “red line”.
“The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the Umrah performers is a red line, and the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and its hostile and terrorist behaviour,” he said.
He said the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen would take necessary and deterrent measures in response to hostile actions by the Houthi militia.
The statement also described the reported drone launch as a deliberate act aimed at provoking the feelings of Muslims and threatening the safety of those visiting Makkah.
“This hostile attempt will remain a mark of shame on the record of violations committed by the extremist terrorist Houthi militia, as it was a deliberate act intended to provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims,” Al-Malki said.
SPA reported that the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the prohibited airspace around Makkah.
