Saudi Arabia placed Mecca under an unprecedented air raid alert after its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the holy city.

The alert came amid repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthis in recent days. The latest escalation has increased security concerns around the kingdom, including the holy city of Mecca.

Houthi drone intercepted near Mecca

According to the report, Saudi air defences intercepted the drone before it could enter Mecca’s prohibited airspace.

The incident prompted Saudi authorities to issue an alert in Mecca. Similar warnings were also issued in Jeddah and Taif as the kingdom faced a series of attacks linked to the ongoing escalation.

The Saudi-led coalition later said the drone had been destroyed south of Mecca. A coalition spokesperson described the safety of Mecca as a “red line” and warned of a response to further attacks.

Houthis step up attacks on Saudi Arabia

The latest incident comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The Houthis have also declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and targeted ships in the Red Sea, according to the report. The developments have widened the security concerns facing Saudi Arabia.

The alerts in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif were brief and were later lifted after authorities determined that the immediate danger had passed.

China has said it is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with India and appropriately manage differences between the two countries ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi were arranging a bilateral meeting between Xi and Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:45 pm on Saturday, according to the report. Xi’s visit marks his return to India after nearly seven years.

China stresses cooperation with India

In a post on X on Friday, Xu said China would work with India in line with the strategic guidance provided by the two leaders.

He said Beijing wanted to approach India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective while increasing communication and cooperation.

China said it would properly handle differences and work towards good-neighbourly relations while helping each other succeed. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning echoed the position during a media briefing, saying Beijing would work with New Delhi to strengthen communication, expand cooperation and manage differences.

Modi-Xi meeting comes ahead of BRICS Summit

Xi Jinping has travelled to New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting on September 12 and 13.

The Chinese President’s visit comes after a period of strain in India-China relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Relations have since seen efforts towards stabilisation, including meetings between Modi and Xi in Kazan and Tianjin.

The upcoming meeting in New Delhi will be the third consecutive year in which the two leaders have met, according to the Chinese side.

Xi left Beijing on Saturday for India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. His delegation includes senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi and Wang Yi.

The Modi-Xi bilateral is expected to provide another opportunity for the two sides to maintain high-level engagement while addressing differences in their relationship.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday said his country would not surrender to pressure from the United States and Israel, asserting that Iran would continue to push back against what he described as attempts to bully the country.

Pezeshkian made the remarks in New Delhi while addressing Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and business leaders. He had arrived in India earlier in the day to participate in the BRICS Summit.

The Iranian president also expressed hope that his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would help expand cooperation between India and Iran across several areas.

Pezeshkian says Iran will resist pressure

Speaking about the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to pressure.

He accused the US and Israel of trying to bully Iran and said his country would respond if pushed. Pezeshkian also questioned accusations against Iran and criticised attacks on infrastructure and civilian facilities.

He said the Iranian people would not surrender and emphasised what he described as the importance of equal rights and human values.

Pezeshkian also alleged that 168 schoolchildren were killed in an attack and questioned claims by the US and Israel regarding human rights. These remarks were delivered through a translator, according to the source.

Iran seeks wider cooperation with India

Pezeshkian thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi for the hospitality extended during his visit.

He said his talks with Modi could pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries in areas including culture, technology, trade, science and the economy.

The Iranian president said India and Iran could work together to revive and strengthen these areas of cooperation.

Modi, Pezeshkian hold bilateral meeting

Modi met Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. It was the second meeting between the two leaders in less than two weeks.

They had previously met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31.

During their latest meeting, the two leaders discussed various aspects of India-Iran relations. Modi thanked Iran for its continued high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances.

The Prime Minister also thanked Pezeshkian for taking part in the Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum.

India reiterates call for dialogue

According to the PMO release cited in the report, Modi and Pezeshkian exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia.

Modi reiterated India’s position that issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also stressed the importance of efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce as well as the safety and well-being of seafarers.

The two sides also discussed continued cooperation on issues of mutual interest in multilateral organisations, including BRICS.