Login Latest Bangladesh Politics World Business Opinion Sports Entertainment Jobs Lifestyle Video Search E-paper Eng Login Middle East Houthis claim drone towards Mecca, downing Saudi fighter jet AFP & Reuters Update: September 16, 2026, 19:58 Houthi fighters stand amidst the wreckage of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet. Marib province, Yemen, September 16 Photo: AFP Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen's armed Houthi group of launching a drone towards the holy city of Mecca. However, it was shot down before entering Saudi airspace. Angered by the incident, Riyadh warned on Wednesday that such attempts by the Houthis would be considered a 'violation of the red line'. They stated that they would not hesitate to take appropriate action against them. Various countries and blocs, including Bangladesh, have condemned the incident.
The drone was launched towards Mecca on Tuesday evening. However, the Houthis dismissed Saudi Arabia's claim as 'false', stating that nobody is fooled by such words anymore. Nevertheless, the Iran-backed group claimed to have downed a Saudi F-15 fighter jet and attacked a facility of the state-owned energy company Aramco and an airbase. For the past few days, they have been claiming attacks on Saudi military bases and other installations.
Reuters news agency, citing several sources, reported that US officials held 'secret' meetings with Houthi representatives in Oman. News of these meetings emerged at a time when the Houthis had captured the strategically important island of Mayyun (Perim) in the Red Sea and the coastal city of Mocha in a swift offensive. This has further strengthened their control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. As a result, Saudi Arabia's oil and gas exports have further decreased. Currently, intense clashes are ongoing between government forces and Houthis in several cities in Yemen's Taiz and Marib provinces.
Lorenzo Kamel, a Middle East analyst, told Al Jazeera that the Houthis' role cannot be properly understood if they are viewed solely as an Iranian proxy. They are leveraging regional instability to pursue their own interests, establish internal authority, and pressure Saudi Arabia to cease its intervention.
Saudi Arabia-led coali
