What actions did India take following the alleged drone attack near Mecca?

India expressed deep concern over the alleged drone attack near Mecca and condemned actions endangering civilian lives and infrastructure, reiterating the need for peace and stability in the region.

Why do drone attacks near Mecca trigger international condemnation?

Drone attacks near Mecca are particularly sensitive due to the city's significance to Muslims worldwide, prompting strong reactions as they endanger sacred sites and threaten regional stability.

How did the Houthi rebels respond to allegations of the drone attack on Mecca?

The Houthis denied involvement in the drone attack on Mecca, labeling the claims as false and accusing the Saudi regime of spreading lies while asserting that their operations target military facilities, not sacred sites.

India 'deeply concerned' over alleged Houthi drone attack near Mecca, calls for regional peace

“We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” India said.

Updated on: Sep 16, 2026, 16:05:13 IST

By HT News Desk

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India on Wednesday expressed concerns over an alleged Houthi drone attack targeting the holy city of Mecca, and called for “early restoration of peace and stability in the region”.

Several areas along Saudi Arabia's western coast, including the holy city of Mecca, were placed on security alert on Tuesday. (Reuters)

“We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. 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. The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world,” a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

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

Several areas along Saudi Arabia's western coast, including Mecca, were put on alert on Tuesday after Saudi authorities said their air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the city.

The drone was destroyed before it entered Mecca's prohibited airspace, according to the Saudi authorities. The Houthis, however, denied targeting Mecca or any Islamic holy site.

The incident comes amid an escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed group, which has carried out attacks on Saudi territory in recent days and threatened maritime traffic in and around the Red Sea.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the alleged attack, and called on all sides to exercise restraint, saying "dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace".

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