India voices concern over attempted drone attack on Mecca

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Muslims perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

India has expressed deep concern over a drone attack reported near Mecca in Saudi Arabia, reiterating its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom and actions that threaten civilian lives and infrastructure.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed the need to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from attacks.

“India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

“The incident near Mecca is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world,” he said.

India expressed hope for a swift de-escalation of tensions, calling for the restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” Mr. Jaiswal added.

Saudi Arabia’s air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca ‌before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, a spokesperson for ​the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), as fighting spreads in ⁠West Asia.

Our response to media queries regarding the drone attack near Makkah ⬇️🔗 https://t.co/l3qVpApFa3pic.twitter.com/2bXH7fzijo

The drone, intercepted on Tuesday evening (September 15, 2026), was the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca after a ballistic missile launch in July 2017, spokesperson Turki al-Malki said in a statement, and follows ‌a week of attacks from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters that have drawn Saudi Arabia deeper into the war.

Mecca is home to some of the ‌holiest sites in Islam and the focal point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, and ‌its ⁠security was a “red line”, the coalition spokesperson al-Malki said in the statement.

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