Widespread Arab and Islamic condemnation after Houthi drone intercepted near Makkah

Widespread Arab and Islamic condemnation followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi militia south of Makkah, before it entered the airspace of the holy city. Officials reiterated their rejection of any threats to the sanctity of holy sites, the Kingdom’s security, or the safety of pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque.

Countries and organizations across the Arab and Islamic world—including Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, and India—issued statements after the incident, which comes amid ongoing escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea.

Drone intercepted south of Makkah

Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, announced that air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the Houthis on Tuesday evening.

Al-Maliki explained that the interception took place at 6:50 p.m. local time, south of Makkah, before the drone entered the airspace of the holy city.

The announcement prompted widespread reactions, particularly given Makkah’s exceptional religious significance for Muslims worldwide and the extreme sensitivity of any threats near its vicinity.

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Makkah

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s condemnation and denunciation of the Houthi militia’s launch of a hostile drone toward Makkah, stating that the attack constitutes a violation of sacred sentiments and a provocation to Muslims globally.

Saudi Arabia praised the vigilance of its Royal Air Defense Forces, who intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the city’s airspace, affirming the Kingdom’s right to take necessary measures to defend the holy sites, its guests, territory, citizens, and residents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon also condemned the attack, expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejecting any assault on its security, sovereignty, or the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

The Kingdom renewed its call for the international community to condemn Houthi attacks and take a firm stance against targeting holy sites, civilian and economic facilities, and threats to maritime navigation and international trade.

Egypt condemns attempted attack on Makkah

The Arab Republic of Egypt strongly condemned and denounced the attempted attack on Makkah, describing it as a blatant violation of the sanctity of religious sites.

Cairo stressed its complete rejection of any actions that threaten the security of Saudi Arabia, affirming its support for the Kingdom’s measures to safeguard its sovereignty, territory, and citizens.

Successive Arab condemnations

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy stated that any threat to the security of Makkah and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites is extremely serious, as it endangers Saudi Arabia’s security and the safety of its citizens, residents, and pilgrims.

Qatar also condemned the attempted attack, emphasizing that the sanctity and security of holy sites and the safety of pilgrims must never be targeted, threatened, or exploited in conflicts.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the drone attack on Makkah, expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its efforts to protect its sovereignty, security, and the holy sites.

Jordan denounced the attempt, calling it an unacceptable attack and disregard for Makkah’s status and sanctity. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said such acts not only threaten Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty but also undermine regional stability.

Bahrain also expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called for a firm stance to halt Houthi attacks.

Palestine condemned the attempted attack, affirming that the security of Saudi Arabia and the holy sites is a red line and an integral part of Arab and Islamic national security, and reiterated its full solidarity with the Kingdom against any threats to its security, sovereignty, and stability.

In Lebanon, President Jouzeph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attempted attack on Makkah, expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejecting any assault on its security, sovereignty, or the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, warning of the repercussions of such acts on regional security and stability.

Islamic and international reactions

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar condemned the attempted attack on Makkah, affirming Islamabad’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the security of the holy sites.

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Houthi drone attack on Makkah, reaffirming its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, and called for an immediate halt to Houthi attacks that threaten regional stability and security.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep concern over reports of the drone interception near Makkah, stating that any attempt to threaten the security and sanctity of the holy city is unacceptable.

India expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the risks posed to civilians and infrastructure, and reaffirmed Makkah’s exceptional status for Muslims worldwide.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the drone attack targeting Makkah, reaffirming its deep respect for the sanctity of Makkah and holy sites in Saudi Arabia, and expressing solidarity with the Kingdom and its people in their protection.

OIC: Protecting holy sites

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attacks attributed to the Houthis, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its measures to safeguard its security and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

The organization stressed the need to protect holy sites and prevent them from being exposed to any threats or military actions amid ongoing regional escalation.

Yemen holds Houthis and Iran responsible

The Yemeni government reiterated its solidarity with Saudi Arabia, affirming its support for the Kingdom’s right to protect its sovereignty, security, and the holy sites.

The Yemeni government held the Houthi group and Iran, which it accuses of supporting the militia, responsible for attacks targeting the Kingdom, and called for a firm Arab, Islamic, and international stance to stop the attacks and cut off arms supplies to the Houthis.

It also urged the international community to take decisive action to end the aggression and prevent further escalation that threatens regional security and stability.

These successive condemnations come as escalation continues in Yemen and the Red Sea, with the drone interception near Makkah underscoring the sensitivity of any military developments near holy sites and the need to safeguard their security and the safety of pilgrims.