India Raises Alarm Over Drone Attack Near Mecca

New Delhi, September 16, 2026 India on Wednesday voiced deep concern over an attempted drone strike near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and called for the swift return of peace and stability in West Asia. The reported incident has heightened concerns because of the holy city’s significance to Muslims across the world and comes amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. According to Saudi authorities, a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca was intercepted and destroyed on Tuesday evening before it could enter the restricted airspace around the holy city. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces brought down the hostile drone south of Mecca and warned that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”. Saudi Arabia also issued a security alert for Mecca, reportedly for the first time since a Houthi attempt to target the holy city in 2017, although the alert was withdrawn within minutes. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah,” and added, “The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world.” He further said, “India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure,” before stating, “We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.” The Houthis have disputed the Saudi version of events. A Houthi military source told Yemen’s SABA news agency, “We categorically deny that there is any threat from Yemen directed at the city of Makkah or any other holy sites.” The development comes against the backdrop of renewed Saudi-Houthi hostilities. The conflict dates back to 2015, when Saudi forces intervened in Yemen following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and the ousting of the internationally recognised government. India had also reiterated on Tuesday its opposition to attacks targeting merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure, while saying Houthi strikes against Saudi economic assets undermine regional stability and navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The issue was discussed during a September 13 meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. India had last week condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Aramco energy facilities that injured 73 people. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline, leading to its temporary closure and affecting up to 5% of global oil supply. With tensions continuing to threaten civilian safety and critical infrastructure, India’s latest remarks underline its call for restraint, regional stability and an early restoration of peace in West Asia.