Houthis Say They Downed a Saudi Fighter Jet and Deny Targeting Mecca — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/houthis-say-they-downed-a-saudi-fighter-jet-and-deny-targeting-meccaContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. Houthis Claim Saudi Jet Downing as Riyadh Reports Mecca Dronehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/houthis-say-they-downed-a-saudi-fighter-jet-and-deny-targeting-meccahttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/houthis-say-they-downed-a-saudi-fighter-jet-and-deny-targeting-mecca#u72440Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:45:25 +0000Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim they shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen, while Saudi Arabia reports intercepting a drone strike outside the holy city of Mecca. The Houthis strongly deny targeting Mecca. The incident marks the second time an attempted attack has targeted the holy city since 2017. Saudi officials call the drone strike a red line as the wider regional conflict continues to escalate.Why it mattersThe confrontation threatens to further destabilize the Middle East as regional tensions persist. Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat is heading to China as the broader war drags on.