Saudi Arabia and several Muslim countries and organisations have condemned what Saudi authorities described as an attempted Houthi drone attack near Makkah.
Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted and destroyed the drone south of Makkah before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. Saudi Arabia described the security of Makkah and the Two Holy Mosques as a “Red Line” and said it reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect the Kingdom, its citizens, pilgrims and holy sites.
Saudi Arabia calls for international action
- The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the incident was a serious provocation and called on the international community to take a firm position against attacks on holy sites, civilian infrastructure and economic facilities in the Kingdom.
- Saudi Arabia also praised its air defence forces for intercepting the drone before it entered Makkah’s restricted airspace.
Pakistan condemns the reported attack
- Pakistan strongly condemned the reported drone incident.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques.
- At the same time, Sharif called for maximum restraint and said dialogue and diplomacy remain important for achieving peace in the region.
Yemen and Kuwait also condemn the incident
- Yemen’s internationally recognised government condemned the reported Houthi drone attempt and expressed support for Saudi Arabia.
- Kuwait also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stressing the importance of protecting the Islamic holy sites.
OIC and Muslim World League issue statements
- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned what it described as attacks targeting the Makkah and Madinah regions.
- The OIC said such attacks endanger civilians and violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques. It also reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its right to protect its territory and holy sites.
- The Muslim World League also condemned the reported attacks and called on Islamic countries and the international community to respond to threats against the holy sites.
Houthis deny targeting Makkah
- The Houthi movement has rejected Saudi Arabia’s accusation.
- Houthi officials said their forces did not target Makkah or other Islamic holy sites. They have said their military operations were directed at other Saudi targets.
- Because Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have given conflicting accounts, the specific intended target of the drone remains disputed.
Turkiye and Pakistan not providing military support
- The incident has also drawn attention to Saudi Arabia’s new defence relationship with Turkiye and Pakistan.
- According to Associated Press reporting, neither Turkiye nor Pakistan had received a request from Saudi Arabia for military assistance in response to the latest Houthi escalation. The defence arrangement involving the three countries is therefore not currently being presented as an activated military response to this incident.
Situation remains tense
- The reported drone interception comes amid a wider escalation involving Houthi attacks and Saudi military operations in Yemen.
- The Houthis have also made other military claims, including a claim that a Saudi F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Yemen. That claim has not been independently verified and should not be treated as confirmed.
- For now, Saudi Arabia is calling for stronger international action, while Pakistan, Kuwait, Yemen, the OIC and the Muslim World League have expressed condemnation or solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
- The Houthis continue to deny targeting Makkah, leaving the specific circumstances and intended target of the intercepted drone disputed.
