Saudi Arabia says it shot down a Houthi drone near Islam’s holiest city

Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, on Tuesday, drawing swift regional condemnation of the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, accused the group of targeting the city, saying it was the first time in almost a decade that the Houthis had targeted Mecca. The security of the holy site is “a red line,” he said, adding that the kingdom “will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures” against the Yemeni group. The claim was strongly denied by the Houthis, who follow the Zaydi branch of Shiite Islam and also revere Mecca as a sacred city.