Global condemnation grows over Houthi drone attack attempt on Makkah

Since Wednesday and continuing into Thursday, Arab, Islamic, and international condemnation has intensified over the attempted Houthi drone attack targeting Makkah. The wave of denunciations has expanded beyond Arab and Islamic countries to include international organizations and other nations, with repeated calls to reject any threat to holy sites and to emphasize the security of Saudi Arabia and the safety of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

Saudi Arabia announced it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Houthi militias toward Makkah on the evening of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, before it entered the airspace of the holy city. The Kingdom stated that the attempt constituted a violation of the sanctity of holy sites and a provocation to Muslims worldwide, noting it was the second such attempt after a previous incident on July 27, 2017.

As official statements continued to be released, the map of condemnation broadened to include Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Algeria, and Libya, as well as Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, South Korea, and Bulgaria. International organizations such as the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Al-Azhar, the Muslim World League, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the United Nations also joined the chorus of condemnation.

Saudi Arabia: Attack on the sanctity of holy sites

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the Houthi militia's hostile drone launch toward Makkah, stressing that the attack was a violation of holy sites and a provocation to Muslims everywhere.

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

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

GCC: A dangerous escalation crossing all boundaries

In the Gulf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi described the attempted drone attack on Makkah as an extremely dangerous escalation that crossed all lines and boundaries.

He emphasized that targeting the holy city was a blatant violation of the sanctity of the holiest site on earth and the qibla of Muslims, stressing the need for a firm and deterrent international response to such attacks.

Egypt: Violation of the sanctity of holy sites

Egypt strongly condemned and denounced the attempt to target Makkah, stating that it represented a flagrant violation of the sanctity of religious sites.

Cairo stressed that such attacks contradict Islamic values and clearly violate international law, reaffirming its rejection of any actions threatening Saudi Arabia's security and its support for measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, territory, and citizens.

Successive Arab condemnations

Arab condemnations continued, with Qatar denouncing the attempt to target Makkah and affirming that the sanctity and security of holy sites and their visitors must never be threatened or targeted.

Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain also condemned the attempt, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its security, sovereignty, and protection of the Two Holy Mosques.

In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attempt, expressing Lebanon's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejection of any attack on its security, sovereignty, or the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, warning of the repercussions of such acts on regional security and stability.

The Palestinian presidency also condemned the attempt, declaring that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Two Holy Mosques is a red line and an integral part of Arab and Islamic national security.

Syria strongly condemned the drone attack on Makkah, stating that endangering the security of the holy city, its visitors, citizens, and residents constitutes a grave violation of the sanctity of holy sites.

Libya's Government of National Unity reiterated its categorical rejection of any attempts targeting the qibla of Muslims or violating the sanctity of holy sites, renewing its support for Saudi Arabia in protecting the Two Holy Mosques, its security, and stability.

Algeria also strongly condemned the attack on Makkah, describing it as a highly dangerous act of aggression against Muslim holy sites, a provocation to Muslim sentiments, and a violation of the sanctity of the Grand Mosque, while calling for an end to escalation and attacks in the region.

Arab League and Al-Azhar: Protecting Makkah is not a trivial matter

The Arab League emphasized 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, and provokes Muslims worldwide.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League praised the efficiency and vigilance of Saudi air defense forces in thwarting the attack, affirming the League's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its measures to protect its territory and security.

Similarly, Al-Azhar condemned the attempt to target Makkah, stating that endangering the holy city is an attack on the sanctity of holy sites and a provocation to Muslims, stressing that Makkah must never become a battleground or be threatened.

The General Secretariat of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy also affirmed that targeting civilians and civilian facilities and terrorizing the innocent are forbidden and criminal acts that contradict Islamic teachings, human values, and international conventions.

The Muslim World League likewise condemned Houthi attacks on Makkah and Madinah, reiterating the need to protect holy sites and Saudi Arabia's security.

Turkey, Pakistan, and other Islamic responses

At the Islamic level, Turkey strongly condemned the Houthi attempt to target Makkah, reaffirming its support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and security and calling for an end to Houthi attacks that threaten regional security and stability.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attempted attack on Makkah, calling it a disgraceful act and expressing his country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep concern over the incident, stating that any attempt to threaten the security and sanctity of Makkah is unacceptable.

India expressed grave concern over the incident, highlighting the risks to civilians and infrastructure and affirming Makkah's exceptional status among Muslims worldwide.

Bangladesh condemned the drone attack, affirming its respect for the sanctity of Makkah and holy sites in Saudi Arabia and its solidarity with the Kingdom.

International condemnation widens

Condemnations were not limited to Arab and Islamic countries. Bulgaria denounced the ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including those targeting civilians and civil and economic infrastructure, describing them as a dangerous escalation undermining regional security and efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Yemen conflict.

South Korea also condemned recent Houthi attacks on civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, calling for their immediate cessation and stressing that targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and undermining freedom of navigation cannot be justified under any circumstances.

At the United Nations Security Council, the UN condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's civilian infrastructure and energy sector, emphasizing the need to protect Red Sea security and restore navigation rights and freedoms in the Bab al-Mandab Strait in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

The UN warned that continued disruptions in maritime corridors could have repercussions for international peace and security, global energy markets, food security, and the economies of the most vulnerable countries.

The statements issued in recent hours reflect the sensitivity surrounding the attempted attack on Makkah at a time of ongoing regional escalation, with the protection of holy sites and the security of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors remaining a central concern in all public positions.