Deeply concerned: India condemns drone attack near Mecca and calls for regional peace

India expressed concern over a reported drone attack near Mecca and condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia’s sovereign territory. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India is concerned about the incident because of the importance of Mecca to Muslims around the world. He also called for the speedy restoration of peace and stability throughout the region.

India expressed concern over a reported drone attack near Mecca and stressed the importance of protecting civilian lives and infrastructure.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the location of the incident was particularly troubling because of Mecca’s special significance to Muslims around the world.

Jaiswal said: “We are deeply concerned about the drone attack near Makkah (Mecca). India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure. The incident near Mecca is particularly troubling given the city’s special significance to Muslims around the world.”

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

The statement from New Delhi came after Saudi Arabian authorities said their air defense forces intercepted and destroyed an enemy drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the drone was intercepted before it entered the restricted airspace around the holy city. Saudi officials said the drone was launched by the Houthis.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the incident was the second recorded attempt to strike Mecca, referring to the July 2017 ballistic missile incident.

“At 18:50 on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the terrorist Houthi militia before it entered the restricted airspace of the Holy City of Mecca. The hostile drone was intercepted in the south of Mecca,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted General Al-Mali as saying.

“This hostile and terrorist attack is the second attempt to attack Mecca after the first attempt to launch a ballistic missile on July 27, 2017. This can only be described as a shameful act, an attempt to strike at the birthplace of revelation, the land of the message and the destination that attracts the hearts of millions of Muslims from all over the world,” he added.

Al-Maliki said the incident was an attempt to intimidate Umrah participants and described it as a deliberate act aimed at provoking Muslims.

“The security of the Two Holy Mosques and Umrah performers is a red line, and the joint coalition command will not hesitate to take necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militias and their hostile and terroristic behavior.”

Saudi Arabia has beefed up security amid a wider escalation involving the Houthis and other regional forces. Reuters reported that the drone was destroyed south of Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace.

The Houthi side disputed Saudi Arabia’s version. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sari denied that the group had attacked Mecca and called Saudi Arabia’s statement a fabrication, Reuters reports.

This means that the claim about the intended purpose remains controversial. Saudi authorities said the drone was heading into restricted airspace around Mecca, while the Houthis deny it targeted the holy city.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. India said it hopes peace and stability will be restored soon.