Yemen condemns Houthi drone attack attempt on Makkah as 'blatant violation'

Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the attempted Houthi drone attack targeting Makkah, after Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed the drone south of the holy city before it entered the restricted airspace.

In a statement carried by the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), the ministry said the attempt was a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty, an attack on the sanctity of the holy site, a threat to the safety of residents and pilgrims, and a provocation to Muslims worldwide.

The ministry added that this escalation is part of the militia’s ongoing hostile actions and previous attempts to target Makkah, stressing the dangers of continued Iranian support for the group as part of a project to turn Yemen into a tool for its agenda at the expense of Yemen’s sovereignty and people.

The Yemeni foreign ministry reaffirmed the Republic of Yemen’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia—its leadership, government, and people—and its full support for the Kingdom’s right to take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, protect Islamic holy sites, and ensure the safety of citizens and residents. The ministry also praised the effectiveness of Saudi air defenses in thwarting the attack and the Kingdom’s role in caring for the Two Holy Mosques.

Calls for firm international response

The ministry held the Houthi militia and its Iranian backers responsible for these attacks, calling for a firm Arab, Islamic, and international stance to stop them, cut off weapons supplies to the militia, enforce relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and support the Yemeni government in restoring state institutions and authority across all Yemeni territory.