Saudi-led coalition intercepts drone headed for Mecca - Al Jazeera

A security alert has been issued in Islam's holiest city.

x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Muslims perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on September 14, 2026 [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 16 Sep 2026 16 Sep 2026 Saudi Arabia has said that a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca has been intercepted and destroyed, in an escalation that could threaten the holy city.

The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the hostile drone before it entered the restricted airspace on Tuesday evening.

Al-Maliki condemned the incident as an attempt to frighten worshippers and harm civilians, warning that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”.