Drone Strikes Mecca; U.S. Government Advises Citizens to Reconsider Travel to Saudi Arabia

[Financial News] The United States government advised its citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, where air-raid alerts have been issued for several areas, including Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on the 16th local time, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued the advisory on the 15th, warning of threats from Iranian drones and missiles, terrorism, and armed conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued alerts on the 15th warning of possible airstrikes in Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif. It was the first time an alert had been issued for Mecca, Islam’s holy city, since the war with Iran began.
In a statement posted on its X account that day, the Saudi military said it had intercepted one drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward Mecca. Any attack on Mecca, the birthplace of Islam and its holiest site, is regarded throughout the Muslim world as unacceptable, regardless of the reason.
The United States also urged its citizens to avoid traveling to areas along the Yemen border.
The Houthi rebels denied Saudi Arabia’s claim, saying, "The claim that we targeted Mecca is a lie." 


[email protected] International Affairs Specialist Lee Seok-woo Reporter