Saudi Arabia has condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack targeting the holy city of Makkah, describing the incident as a “cowardly” and “terrorist attack” and a serious violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the drone was launched toward Makkah on Tuesday but was intercepted and destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces before it could enter the city’s restricted airspace.
The Kingdom said the incident represented a repeated attempt by the Houthi militia to target holy sites and provoke Muslims worldwide. It noted that a previous attempt to target Makkah took place on July 27, 2017.
Saudi Arabia praised the vigilance of its air defense forces and called on the international community to condemn such attacks and adopt a firm position against threats to holy sites, civilians and the Kingdom’s economic infrastructure. The Kingdom also reaffirmed its right to take necessary measures to protect the Two Holy Mosques, pilgrims, citizens, residents and its territory.
Muslim Organizations Reject the Attack
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including those targeting Makkah and the Madinah region. It said such actions create fear among civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and provoke Muslims around the world.
The Muslim World League also condemned the incident. Its Secretary-General, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, said the attacks violated religious sanctities by putting Muslim lives and holy sites at risk. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi likewise condemned the attempted attack, calling for a firm international response and accountability for those responsible.
Regional and International Support
The Arab League expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, while Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy warned that continued Houthi escalation could further increase regional tensions.
Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and Bahrain also condemned the attempted attack and expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect its territory and holy sites. Bahrain additionally called on the UN Security Council to take a firm position against Houthi attacks.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly and sinful” act and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sharif also stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path toward peace and urged efforts to contain further regional escalation.
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