Mecca

Drone launched by Houthis intercepted, destroyed over Mecca, Saudi-led coalition says

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.

|ByREUTERS
Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 19, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud prepare to pose for a picture before the first committee meeting under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

Mecca defense pact faces test as Saudi delegation arrives for high-stakes Iran talks - analysis

The test in Tehran is whether the countries can come away with something practical. Skeptics about the pact's members have argued that the three countries are not making the agreement have teeth.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Yemeni security soldiers stand in front of a screen broadcasting Houthi-run forces launching a missile, during a demonstration staged to support missile forces in protecting the country's sovereignty and to denounce the Saudi accusation that Yemenis are attempting to attack Maca, on September 18.

Five killed as Houthis target Yemen's presidential palace in Aden with missiles

The Houthis also recently warned airlines that Saudi airspace and airports remain unsafe.

|ByREUTERS
Supporters of the Houthi authorities gather during a protest against the Saudi intervention in Yemen, in Sanaa, on October 9, 2026.

Pakistan pledges full military backing to Saudi Arabia under Mecca pact after deadly Houthi strikes

“Pakistan will not tolerate any kind of aggression. Our agreements demand it, and so do our bonds of brotherhood.” 

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

Muslims at hajj blame Arab disunity for Jerusalem embassy move

The status of Jerusalem - home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions - is one of the biggest obstacles to any peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

AUGUST 20, 2018ByREUTERS
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018

Muslim pilgrims flock to Mecca ahead of hajj

Every able-bodied Muslim who has the means should perform the hajj at least once in their lifetime under a quota system.

AUGUST 19, 2018ByREUTERS
A muslim pilgrim takes a video with his mobile phone while others circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018

Voices from the Arab press: A Saudi overhaul of the pilgrimage process

A selection of stories from the Arab press this week.

JUNE 7, 2018ByMEDIA LINE
THE GREAT Mosque during Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 2007