'Special significance to Muslims': India condemns Houthi drone attack near Saudi Arabia's Mecca - The Times of India

**India Condemns Houthi Drone Attack Near Islam’s Holiest City**

A Houthi‑operated drone struck a Saudi military installation close to Mecca on Saturday, prompting the rebels to release footage that they claim shows the downing of a Saudi Air Force F‑15 fighter jet. The video, disseminated through Houthi media channels, displayed a missile impact and the smoldering wreckage of the aircraft. Saudi authorities have not yet confirmed the loss of the jet, but the incident adds to a recent spate of cross‑border attacks launched from Yemen’s Houthi‑controlled territories against Saudi targets, many of which are situated within the Kingdom’s air‑defence perimeter around its most sacred sites.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a terse statement condemning the drone strike, describing it as “deeply concerning” and underscoring that the area around Mecca holds “special significance to Muslims worldwide.” The diplomatic note called for “restraint and immediate cessation of hostilities” and urged all parties to respect the sanctity of places of worship, especially during the Hajj season when millions of Indian pilgrims travel to the holy city. New Delhi’s response reflects the strategic partnership it maintains with Riyadh and its responsibility toward the safety of Indian citizens undertaking the pilgrimage.

The episode highlights the broader volatility of the Yemen‑Saudi conflict, wherein the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement has increasingly employed unmanned aerial vehicles to target Saudi infrastructure. International observers have warned that such escalations risk drawing neighboring states into a wider security dilemma, particularly given the religious and economic importance of the Red Sea corridor. India’s swift condemnation signals its intent to safeguard the interests of its diaspora and maintain regional stability, even as diplomatic channels work to de‑escalate tensions between the warring sides.