US-Iran War: India on Wednesday condemned what Saudi Arabia described as an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca, calling it “concerning”.
In response to media queries regarding the attempted
drone attack, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India opposed any actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure. He said the incident near Makkah was particularly concerning because of the city’s special significance to Muslims across the world.
“We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure. The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world,” he said.
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drone Near Mecca
India’s response came after Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, before it could enter the restricted airspace over the holy city.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said the drone was heading towards Mecca. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line” and warned that necessary deterrent measures would be taken.
Saudi Arabia described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca. The kingdom had previously linked a ballistic missile launch in July 2017 to an attempted attack on the holy city.
Houthis Reject Saudi Allegation
The Houthis have denied that they targeted Mecca. Houthi official Hazem al-Assad dismissed the Saudi-led coalition’s claim as a “worn-out lie”.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), meanwhile, condemned what it described as a “heinous” attack and expressed support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalation.
Mecca Sees First Air Threat Alert
The incident came after Saudi Civil Defence issued temporary aerial threat alerts across several cities on the western coast, including Mecca, Jeddah and Taif.
Reports said the warning was issued in Mecca for the first time. The alerts were later lifted, with Saudi Civil Defence saying the danger had passed and urging residents to continue following safety instructions.
The alerts came a day after the Houthis reportedly carried out attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones, with Saudi Arabia saying 13 people were wounded.
Saudi-Houthi Tensions Escalate
The latest incident comes amid a renewed escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis have claimed large-scale missile and drone attacks against Saudi military targets, while Saudi-backed forces have carried out strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
Houthi official al-Assad said the group’s response would continue and escalate as long as Saudi Arabia persisted in what the Houthis describe as aggression against Yemen.
Bab al-Mandab Strait Raises Wider Concerns
The widening conflict has also raised concerns over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Qatar has warned of serious consequences if the strategic waterway is closed, with a foreign ministry official describing such a development as potentially “catastrophic for the entire world”.
The latest escalation has added to regional concerns over security, civilian safety and disruptions to one of the world’s important shipping routes.
