Widespread international condemnation of Houthi militia's attempt to target Mecca

The heinous attempt by the Houthi militia to attack Makkah Al-Mukarramah using a drone has sparked a wave of global condemnation and calls for decisive action to deter and prevent its recurrence.

In a statement yesterday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this cowardly terrorist aggression against the Holy Land, the land of the Message, the site of the Divine Revelation, and the Qibla of Muslims, is a repetition of the Houthi militia’s terrorist practices of targeting and violating the Holy Sites, and a provocation of the sentiments of Muslims in all parts of the world. This attempt marks the second targeting of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, following the first attempt on July 27, 2017.

The Kingdom commended the vigilance of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, which intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the prohibited airspace of the Holy Capital, Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community to condemn these grave aggressions and to take a firm stance against the Houthi militia’s terrorist attacks on the Holy Sites, civilian and economic targets, and its threats to the freedom of maritime navigation for commercial vessels and international trade.

It also reaffirmed its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the Guests of Allah, as well as the entire territory of the Kingdom, its citizens, and residents.

This came after the official spokesperson for the Coalition Forces, “Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen,” Major General Turki Al-Maliki, announced that the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed an enemy drone launched by the Houthi terrorist militia the previous evening, before it entered the prohibited airspace (PROHIBITED AREA) of the Holy Capital, Makkah Al-Mukarramah. He confirmed that the enemy drone was intercepted south of the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Major General Al-Maliki stated that this hostile and terrorist attempt is the second targeting of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, following the first attempt involving the launch of a ballistic missile in 2017. He said that such an act can only be described as a shameful attempt to target the site of the Divine Revelation, the land of the Message, and the destination of the hearts of millions of Muslims from various countries. He characterized it as “an attempt to terrorize the safe Guests of the House of Allah and harm citizens and residents, and this hostile attempt will remain a black mark in the record of the extremist Houthi terrorist militia’s violations, as it is a deliberate act to provoke the sentiments of millions of Muslims.”

The spokesperson affirmed that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the Guests of Allah is a red line, and that the leadership of the Coalition’s Joint Forces will not hesitate to take necessary and deterrent measures against the Houthi terrorist militia and its hostile and terrorist behavior.

For its part, the State of Qatar condemned and strongly denounced the Houthi terrorist group’s targeting of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, affirming that any attempt to violate the sanctity of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the House of Allah, the Qibla of Muslims and the purest place on earth, constitutes a shameful act of aggression and a grave violation of all religious, moral, and humanitarian red lines, and a blatant provocation of the sentiments of more than a billion Muslims around the world.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in a statement that the sanctity, security, and safety of the Holy Sites and their visitors cannot under any circumstances be targeted, threatened, or exploited in conflicts. It warned that engaging in acts that endanger Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Holy Sites represents a grave escalation and a reckless disregard for their great religious and spiritual status in the conscience of all Muslims.

The Ministry expressed Qatar’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all necessary measures and precautions to protect its security, territorial integrity, Islamic sanctities, and the Guests of Allah. It also expressed full confidence in the Kingdom’s ability to safeguard the security of the Two Holy Mosques and counter any threats to their safety.

In turn, the Kingdom of Bahrain expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the escalating terrorist aggressions carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its attempt to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah with a drone.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the attempt constitutes a deliberate repetition of the 2017 attempt to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah, confirming that targeting sanctities is a fixed policy of this militia and not an isolated incident.

It considered this a blatant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and a gross breach of the sanctity of the Holy Mosque and the sacredness of the Holy Sites. Makkah Al-Mukarramah is the Qibla of Muslims, the site of the Divine Revelation, and the secure sanctuary of Allah; whoever targets Makkah targets an entire nation.

It affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability, and to protect its citizens and residents, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, affirming that Saudi Arabia’s security and stability are an integral part of the national security of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

It commended the efficiency and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, calling on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states to take a unified and firm stance against the targeting of Islamic sanctities.

The Ministry emphasized the Kingdom of Bahrain’s call on the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and take a firm stance to stop the repeated Houthi terrorist aggressions targeting civilian and religious sanctities and terrorizing safe civilians, and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Similarly, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan expressed their strong condemnation and denunciation of the attempted aggression, affirming that it represents a blatant violation and disregard for the sanctity of religious sanctities and their status among Muslims.

In official statements and remarks, they stressed that such aggressions contradict Islamic values and constitute a clear violation of the rules and provisions of international law, and that they not only threaten Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty but also contribute to undermining the security and stability of the entire region.

For his part, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his country’s condemnation of any attempt to threaten the security and sanctity of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. In a statement, he said that Malaysia expresses its high appreciation for the swift action taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect the residents and pilgrims in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, adding that the incident confirms the urgent need to prevent further escalation in the region.

He called for the immediate cessation of attacks on civilian sites and for refraining from any action that endangers the Holy Sites.

The Republic of Bulgaria strongly condemned the Houthi terrorist militia’s ongoing attacks on the Kingdom, including strikes targeting civilians and civilian and economic infrastructure.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed in a statement that such attacks are unacceptable and constitute a dangerous escalation that undermines regional security and efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.

In that regard, the Muslim World League strongly condemned the Houthi targeting, the continuation of its heinous aggression against the Kingdom, the terrorism of Muslims and their sanctities and mosques, and the provocation of their sentiments by violating the sanctity of the Holy Sites.

In a statement by the General Secretariat, the League’s Secretary-General and President of the Muslim Scholars Association, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, denounced the Houthi militia’s terrorist approach, which constitutes a blatant violation of the values of the pure religion and the most basic humanitarian principles. He called on Islamic countries and the international community to condemn the targeting of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Medina region by those who call themselves “Ansar Allah,” and the terrorist approach reflected in their actions, which violates divine sanctities.

On behalf of all Islamic peoples under its umbrella, he reaffirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, condemned the attempt to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah, affirming the League’s solidarity with the Kingdom and its support in protecting its territory, security, and the sanctity of Islamic sanctities.

In a statement, he said that any threat to the security of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the sanctity of Islamic sanctities is a matter of grave concern.

He added that such acts threaten the Kingdom’s security and the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors to the House of Allah, and also constitute a provocation of the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

He considered the targeting attempt part of a continuous escalation by the Houthi militia, which in recent days has included targeting the Kingdom’s territory, facilities, and civilian sites, thereby exacerbating regional tensions and threatening the security and stability of the region.