Saudi Arabia Says Drone Aimed at Makkah Was Intercepted Before Reaching Holy City
Saudi Arabia has reported that its air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone near Makkah before it could enter the holy city's restricted airspace.
According to Saudi officials, the incident occurred on the evening of September 15, 2026. Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said the drone was detected and brought down at approximately 6:50 PM in an area south of Makkah.
Saudi authorities alleged that the drone was launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Al-Malki described the incident as the second reported attempt to target Makkah, referencing a previous ballistic missile incident in 2017.
Officials confirmed that the drone was destroyed before reaching its intended destination, with debris falling south of the city. As a precaution, a temporary security alert was issued in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif while authorities assessed the situation.
The Houthi movement, however, denied the accusation. A military source affiliated with the group stated that it had not targeted Makkah or any other Islamic holy sites.
The incident has attracted significant international attention due to Makkah’s religious importance to Muslims around the world and the millions of pilgrims who visit the city each year. Several countries and organizations, including Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have condemned the reported attempt and expressed support for the security of the holy city.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as regional tensions remain high.
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