Breaking News Live Updates: US issues advisory to 'reconsider travel' to Saudi Arabia as Houthis target Mecca
Breaking News Live Updates: Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace, with the Saudi-led coalition warning that the holy sites were a “red line”. A Houthi official denied any threat to Mecca, calling the Saudi claim a “lie”, SABA reported.
Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca, prompting warnings from the Saudi-led coalition as attacks by Iran-aligned fighters escalate across the kingdom. (File photo)
Saudi air defences intercepted the drone on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over Mecca, according to coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki. The Houthi military source denied that the group posed any threat to Mecca or other Islamic holy sites, in comments carried by the Houthi-run SABA news agency.
Al-Malki said the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line” and that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.
Mecca, home to shrines sacred to Muslims worldwide, is Islam’s holiest city and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which millions of Muslims undertake each year.
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Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth is undertaking a three-day visit to Russia starting Wednesday to bolster the longstanding defence partnership and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, he will hold discussions with Colonel General Andrei Nikolayevich Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces, on issues of mutual interest, including professional military cooperation and training, officials said.
The Army chief will also pay tribute to fallen soldiers at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow.
Gen Seth will be visiting the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow and interact with senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Defence, including Vasily Sergeyevich Osmakov, Deputy Minister of Defence, dealing with defence industry and procurement, the official said.
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Two back-to-back earthquakes struck northwestern Nepal on Wednesday, authorities said.
However, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
According to the National Seismological Research Centre, the first tremor of magnitude 4.5 was recorded at 1:51 am (local time).
The second quake, with a magnitude of 4.2, struck at 4:28 am (local time), with its epicentre also located around Kalai in Mugu district, the centre said.
The shock was also felt in neighbouring districts of Dolpa and Jumla. However, there was no immediate report of any damage caused by the tremors.
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Houthi official calls Saudi claim of drone attack near Mecca a ‘lie’
A Houthi official on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that the Iran-aligned group had launched a drone towards Mecca, calling the allegation a “lie”, after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the holy city.
Saudi air defences intercepted the drone on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over Mecca, according to coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki. The Houthi military source denied that the group posed any threat to Mecca or other Islamic holy sites, in comments carried by the Houthi-run SABA news agency.
Al-Malki said the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line” and that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.
Mecca, home to shrines sacred to Muslims worldwide, is Islam’s holiest city and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which millions of Muslims undertake each year.