New Delhi, Sept 16: India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over an alleged drone attack near Makkah and reiterated its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of Saudi Arabia, saying such actions endanger civilian lives and infrastructure.

In response to media queries regarding the reported drone attack near Makkah, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure.”

“The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world,” Jaiswal said.

India also expressed hope for an early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition warned that the security of Islam’s two holiest sites was a “red line” after Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis south of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, also known as Mecca.

According to a statement issued by the coalition, the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the drone on Tuesday evening before it could enter the prohibited airspace around Makkah.

The Houthis, however, denied that the holy city had been targeted.

Houthi spokesman Hazem al-Assad dismissed Saudi claims that the group had targeted Makkah, saying the group’s operations target oil facilities and military bases that are “far removed from the sacred sites.”

“The claims about targeting Makkah are a worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone,” al-Assad, a member of the Houthi politburo, wrote on X.

It was the first time alerts had been issued in Makkah since the war began in February, according to the report. Saudi Arabia also issued nationwide alerts on Tuesday following a week of Houthi attacks.

“The security of Islam’s two holiest sites is a red line,” coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said early Wednesday, adding that the coalition would take necessary measures against the Houthis.

The Houthis control parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s most important shipping straits. The conflict has also affected regional energy and shipping routes, including those used for Saudi oil exports.

The group has announced several attacks on Saudi Arabia over the past week, including strikes on an air base on Monday that it said were retaliation for airstrikes on Yemen.