- Saudi Arabia stated that its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca , declaring the security of holy sites a red line, though Houthi representatives dismissed the claims as an outright lie.
- The interception comes amid escalating conflict as Houthi forces intensify attacks on Saudi targets, including an air base, in response to coalition airstrikes and ongoing battles along the Red Sea coast.
- Saudi Arabia's crucial East-West Pipeline remains shut following a separate attack attributed to a pro-Iranian Iraqi group, risking a disruption of up to four per cent of the global oil supply.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested military intervention against the Houthis from Donald Trump, though Washington has so far limited its assistance to intelligence sharing.
- The British government is evaluating requests from Riyadh for diplomatic and military operational support to counter Houthi movements near the Bab el-Mandeb strait and safeguard regional economic stability.
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