The Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen said early Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed a drone before it entered Mecca’s prohibited airspace, accusing Ansar Allah (the Houthis) of launching it on Tuesday evening. The group, however, denied targeting the city and said its attacks were directed at military targets and oil facilities.
Coalition says second attempt to target Mecca
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the incident was the second attempt to target Mecca, after a ballistic missile was launched on July 27, 2017. He described it as an attempt to terrorise visitors to the Sacred House of God and harm citizens and residents.
Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Civil Defense issued warnings of a potential danger in Mecca, Taif, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan, Khamis Mushait and AlUla, before lifting them shortly afterward.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen condemn attempted targeting of Mecca
The Saudi Cabinet also condemned the attacks and affirmed the kingdom’s right to defend itself and protect its sovereignty, citizens and residents in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. Yemen’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attempted targeting of Mecca with a drone, describing it as a violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and an assault on the sanctity of the city.
Yemeni Information Minister Maamer al-Eryani said the incident was an extension of previous attacks targeting Mecca, describing it as the fourth targeting of the Grand Mosque. The Houthis rejected the Saudi account of the drone’s destination.
Houthis deny directing drone toward Mecca
Hazam al-Asad, a member of the group’s political bureau, described the accusations as “false claims that have been used up before.” The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the attacks targeted oil facilities and military bases, stressing that Yemen poses no threat to holy sites.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the incident, warning against exposing holy sites and their visitors to danger. Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, the Palestinian presidency and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also issued condemnations. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the sanctity and security of holy places, and the safety of those visiting them, must not be targeted, threatened or exploited in conflicts.
The Palestinian presidency said it stood with Saudi Arabia in confronting anything that threatens its security, sovereignty and stability, while Shehbaz Sharif called on the parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.
