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روایت خاورمیانه 
Saudi Arabia announced that on September ١٥, ٢٠٢٣, it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis from Yemen before it entered the restricted airspace of Mecca. This air defense action by Saudi Arabia comes as the Houthis have increased their attacks on various locations in Saudi Arabia in recent months.
Details of the attack and reactions
Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war, stated in a statement that this is the second time the Houthis have targeted Mecca. The first incident occurred in July ٢٠١٧ when a ballistic missile was fired at Mecca. Following this attack, a security alert was issued for a short period in Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif. Saudi civil defense officials later announced that "the threat has been eliminated" and the situation has returned to normal.
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Houthi positions and consequences
Simultaneously with this attack, the Houthis rejected any threats against Mecca or other holy places of Muslims, stating that their targets are solely military sites. These statements have emerged following increased tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, especially in recent months. These attacks have also raised international concerns regarding the security of Muslim holy sites, especially since Mecca is recognized as one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Muslims worldwide.
This event is significant not only militarily but also politically. Given that Saudi Arabia is trying to improve its relations with regional countries and the international community, such attacks could exacerbate tensions and reduce confidence on an international level. Especially since the Houthis have previously continued their attacks and demonstrated their ability to carry out complex military operations.
Ultimately, the recent event in Mecca reflects ongoing tensions in the region and security challenges for Saudi Arabia. Considering the importance of Mecca as a religious center, Saudi Arabia is likely to continue seriously strengthening its security measures to prevent any external threats.
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