Saudi Arabia accused Yemen of attempting to attack Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. This accusation led to condemnation from regional countries, but no signs of military support are observed. This kingdom, which is one of the main allies of the United States, declared Mecca a "red line" and is becoming more deeply involved in the new developments of the Iran war.
Saudi Infrastructure Status
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is under pressure from Houthi attacks supported by Tehran. The country needs a secure route for its oil exports as well as military assistance, but the path to achieving either of these is uncertain. It is reported that an important Saudi pipeline has been closed for several weeks following the attack. The Houthis have attacked infrastructure and transportation in the Red Sea and have seized several islands in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
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International Condemnation and Reactions
The Houthis denied claims of launching a drone towards Mecca, located about 1,100 kilometers from the Yemeni border. Saudi Arabia stated that it destroyed the drone before it entered Mecca's airspace. Turkey and Pakistan also announced that Saudi Arabia did not request assistance from them. Following this attack, Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, stated that his country and Saudi Arabia stand "united and together." Additionally, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, representing over 57 Islamic countries, deemed this action a violation of the "sanctity of holy places."
This is the second time the Houthis have attempted to attack Mecca. In 2017, this group launched a ballistic missile towards the city. Subsequently, the Houthis claimed without providing evidence that they shot down an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the Saudi-led coalition in the central Marib province.
The United States, which has sold billions of dollars in weapons to Saudi Arabia and is committed to providing training and support to protect the country, has recently shown no willingness to intervene in this conflict. Meanwhile, Iran's senior diplomat in China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, called for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Source: independent.co.uk
