Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthis of attempting to attack Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. This accusation comes as regional countries have strongly condemned this action, but there are no signs of military support for Saudi Arabia. This kingdom, which is considered a key ally of the United States, has declared Mecca a "red line."
Houthi Attacks and Oil Situation
As the world's largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia is currently under pressure from Iran-backed Houthis. The kingdom is seeking a safe way to export its oil and also receive military support, but it seems there is no way to achieve these goals. Reports indicate that a key pipeline for the Saudis has been shut down for several weeks, while the Houthis have attacked infrastructure and transport in the Red Sea.
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Houthi Reaction and Statements from U.S. Officials
The Houthis claimed they did not launch a drone towards Mecca. Saudi Arabia stated that it destroyed the drone before it entered Mecca's airspace. This is considered the second attempt by the Houthis to attack Mecca, after they fired a ballistic missile towards the city in 2017.
Senior U.S. officials have recently reported a reluctance to intervene in this conflict. The President of the United States stated, "The Houthis contacted us and do not want to fight us," adding that they seem focused on Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Vice President announced that Washington has been in continuous contact with the Saudis and has also had discussions with the Houthis.
The Houthis also claimed to have shot at an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the Saudi-led coalition, but the timing of this claim is unclear and there is no independent confirmation of it.
On the other hand, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's senior diplomat, is visiting China to discuss the conflicts and transport in the Strait of Hormuz. The President of China also reiterated Beijing's offer to help end these conflicts at the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
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Source: npr.org
