Houthi Drone Intercepted Near Mecca Sparks Global Muslim Outrage
Saudi Arabia confirmed that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, marking the first time the holy city has been targeted since 2017. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki declared the incident a 'red line' violation, while Houthi spokesperson Hazem al-Assad dismissed the claim as a 'worn-out lie.' The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack as 'heinous,' and Saudi Arabia issued security alerts across the kingdom. This escalation follows a week of intensified strikes, including damage to the East-West Pipeline, which put 4 million barrels of daily oil supply at risk. Oil prices remained near four-month highs, with Brent crude trading around $107.8 per barrel, as markets grappled with disrupted shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
