[Saudi Arabia condemns and strongly opposes the Houthi armed organization’s drone attack on Mecca] September 16th, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 16th local time condemning and strongly opposed the Houthi armed organization’s drone attack on Mecca on the 15th. Saudi Arabia stressed that the cowardly attack on Mecca once again continued the Houthis' practice of attacking and violating the sanctity of Islam's holy sites. This attempt was the second attack attempt on Mecca, following the first attack on the holy city of Mecca on July 27, 2017. Saudi Arabia once again calls on the international community to condemn these serious attacks and take a firm stance against the Houthi armed forces’ attacks on civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, while also addressing the threats posed by the Houthi militia to freedom of navigation at sea, commercial shipping, and international trade. Saudi Arabia reiterates that it has the legitimate right to take all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of the Holy Mosque, its pilgrims and visitors, and to maintain the safety of the entire Kingdom and its citizens and residents. Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led multinational coalition, said earlier on the 16th that Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a Yemeni Houthi armed drone flying to Mecca on the evening of the 15th. Hizam Assad, a member of the Houthi armed politburo, posted on social media that day that the accusation that the Houthi armed forces used drones to attack Mecca was a "lie." (CCTV News)