Houthi attacks on Saudi: Drone shot down near Mecca; crown prince seeks Egypt's support

The Houthi offensive has opened up a new front in the Mideast's war and boosted the hand of Iran, Saudi Arabia's traditional arch rival in the region, which has attacked shipping through the region's other major maritime route, the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone headed for Mecca, Islam's holiest city, on Tuesday evening (September 15).

Saudi military spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki confirmed shooting down of the drone before it entered the airspace over Mecca and said the security of the holy city is “a red line", and added that Saudi forces will not hesitate to act against “hostile and terrorist behaviour".