Saudi Arabia calls attempted Mecca attack 'red line' as Iran-backed Houthis deny they did it
Saudi Arabia has declared an attempted drone attack on Mecca a 'red line' following regional tensions with Iran-backed Houthi rebels. While the Houthis deny the attack, the incident has drawn condemnation from various Muslim-majority nations.
Why it matters
The incident escalates regional instability and highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and holy sites in the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces.
Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels overnight of trying to attack Islam's holiest city , prompting condemnation from countries in the region but no sign of military support. The kingdom, a key U.S. ally, declared Mecca a “red line” as it slid deeper into the new front of the Iran war.
With the world's biggest oil exporter under fire from the rebels backed by the Saudis' regional adversary, Tehran, the kingdom needs a safe outlet for its crude as well as military support. However, a path to either one remains unclear.
A crucial Saudi pipeline has reportedly been shut down for weeks as the Yemen-based Houthis have been attacking infrastructure in the kingdom as well as its shipping on the Red Sea. Iran is still targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in