Houthi official denies targeting Mecca with drone

The Houthi group on Wednesday denied targeting Mecca with a drone, after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a drone south of the holy city before it entered restricted airspace.

Mohammed Al-Farah, a member of the Houthis’ political office, said the claim that Yemen had targeted Mecca was “an outright lie with no basis in truth”, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

“We are more concerned about Mecca and the holy sites than those who exploit them politically,” he said, accusing Saudi Arabia of using the allegation “to divert attention from the crisis it is facing in Yemen”.

Al-Farah said Saudi Arabia was facing a “real dilemma” in Yemen after becoming involved in what he described as a war, blockade and occupation, and failing to achieve its objectives.

He said Saudi Arabia was “trying to divert attention from the root of the problem and incite Muslims against Yemen after failing to deal with the consequences of its policies”.

He called for an end to the war, the lifting of the blockade and compensation for Yemenis for years of war and destruction.

“The solution is clear: stop the aggression, lift the blockade, leave Yemen alone and compensate Yemenis for years of war and destruction. Only then can Saudi Arabia seek security and stability,” he said.

Al-Farah warned that continuing what he called “aggression” would lead to further escalation.

“Whoever opens the doors of confrontation must bear its consequences,” he said.

He also said continued confrontation amounted to “a gamble with the security of Saudi Arabia and its vital and oil facilities”.