Saudis blame an attempted attack on Mecca on Iran-backed Houthi rebels

Muslim nations are condemning an attempted drone attack on Mecca as Saudi Arabia says that Islam's holiest city is a “red line” for the kingdom. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen have been attacking Saudi Arabia and its shipping but deny targeting Mecca. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, needs a safe outlet for its crude as well as military support, but a path to either one remained unclear on Wednesday.

Despite a new Saudi defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan, officials with both countries say they have received no Saudi request for military support in response to the Houthis' escalation in recent days.

Read the original report at Apnews.