By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
DJIBOUTI, September 17, 2026 Djibouti has strongly condemned an attempted attack targeting the holy city of Mecca, describing the incident as a violation of the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites.
In a report published on Wednesday by the state-owned media, Djibouti News Agency, the government reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for measures taken by the kingdom to protect its territory, people and holy sites.
Saudi air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone heading towards Mecca on Tuesday before it entered the city’s restricted airspace, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
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The spokesperson of the Saudi-backed coalition forces in Yemen, Turki al-Maliki, said the security of Islam’s two holiest mosques and the safety of worshippers were a “red line.”
Saudi Arabia accused Yemen’s Houthis of launching the drone towards Mecca. The group denied the allegation, saying it posed no threat to Mecca or any other Islamic holy site.
The incident comes amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Al Jazeera reported that it was the first time in nearly a decade that a security alert had been activated in Mecca.