The Houthis have recently strongly denied the coalition led by Saudi Arabia's claim of intercepting a drone en route to Mecca, the holy city of Islam. The Houthis deemed these accusations as baseless and described them as an old lie that no longer deceives anyone.
Rejection of Saudi Claims
Hazem Al-Asad, one of the Houthi political officials, stated in a message posted on the social media platform X: "The claims about targeting Mecca are an old lie that has been used before and no longer deceives anyone." These remarks came following a report from the Arab coalition about shooting down a Houthi drone that was heading towards Mecca. The coalition has consistently expressed serious concern over the threats posed by the Houthis.
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Background of Tensions in Yemen
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have significantly escalated since 2015 with the onset of the Yemen war. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia supports the Yemeni government, while the Houthis, backed by Iran, fight against this coalition. This war has led to a deep humanitarian crisis and disrupted the lives of millions of Yemenis.
Currently, Mecca, as one of the holiest religious sites in the Islamic world, is always in the spotlight, and any threat to this city could have serious consequences for international relations and regional security. The Houthis continuously respond to Saudi accusations regarding attacks on this city, emphasizing that their goal is solely to counter the aggressions of the Arab coalition.
Analysts believe that Saudi Arabia's recent claims may be aimed at justifying further military actions or improving security conditions along its borders. At the same time, the Houthis are also seeking to enhance their image in the international community and demonstrate that their threats are not limited to sacred areas.
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