Riyadh, Sept. 16 (SANA)Saudi airdefenses interceptedand destroyed a drone launched by theHouthi militiasouth of Mecca before it entered the city’s airspace, the Saudi-led coalition said early Wednesday.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen.Turki al-Malikisaid in a statement on X that the incident was the second attempted attack targeting Mecca, following an earlier attempt involving a ballistic missile.

Al-Maliki described the incident as an intentional act aimed at provoking the feelings of millions of Muslims, adding that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line.”

He said the joint forces command would take the necessary measures in response to what he described as Houthi attacks and hostile actions.

The incident followed attacks carried out on Monday involving missiles and drones targeting civilian sites in western Saudi Arabia, which Saudi authorities said injured 13 civilians and caused material damage.