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Houthi Drone Intercepted Near Mecca: OIC, Pakistan Condemn Second Attack on Holy Sites

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
15 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Second Houthi attempt on MeccaJuly 2017 ballistic missilePakistan condemnationOIC condemnationMokha seizedMayun island captured (Bab al-Mandeb)
Bodies:Saudi Military CoalitionOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)Pakistan GovernmentHouthi Movement
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Saudi air defences destroyed an alleged Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace; coalition spokesperson called it the second attempt after a ballistic missile in July 2017.

2.The OIC General Secretariat condemned the attacks on Makkah and Madinah, reaffirming that holy sites must be protected; Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif also condemned and praised Saudi forces.

3.Houthi fighters seized Mokha and Mayun island (Bab al-Mandeb), escalating conflict; Saudi Arabia retaliated with air strikes and shut a major oil pipeline hit by drones, pushing up oil prices.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca, the second such attempt on the holy city after 2017. The OIC and Pakistan strongly condemned the attack, while Houthi forces advanced on Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, threatening global shipping and oil routes. This incident escalates the US-Iran proxy conflict in the region, with implications for India's energy security and diaspora.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Incident DateSeptember 15, 2026
Previous Houthi Attempt on MeccaJuly 2017 (ballistic missile)
OIC StanceCondemned attacks on Makkah and Madinah
Pakistan PM ResponseCondemned, praised Saudi forces, urged restraint
Houthi Capture (Red Sea)Mokha town and Mayun island (Bab al-Mandeb)
Saudi RetaliationAir strikes on Mokha airport; shut major oil pipeline

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Incident Date: September 15, 2026
  • ›Previous Houthi Attempt on Mecca: July 2017 (ballistic missile)
  • ›Target this Data: Second Houthi attempt on Mecca (first: July 2017 ballistic missile; second: September 2026 drone)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – condemned attacks on Makkah and Madinah
  • ›Target this Location: Bab al-Mandeb strait – Houthi seized Mayun island, threatening key oil chokepoint

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which international organization condemned the Houthi attacks on Makkah and the Madinah region?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace.

2. This was the first ever Houthi attempt to target the holy city of Mecca.

3. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and urged all parties to exercise restraint.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

In which year did the previous Houthi attempt to target Mecca (by a ballistic missile) occur, as mentioned in the news?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the strategic significance of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, which came under Houthi control according to the article?

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