OIC Condemns Alleged Houthi Attacks on Makkah, Madinah Region
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — WEB DESK: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned what it described as attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Makkah and the Madinah region, declaring its solidarity with Saudi Arabia as regional tensions intensify.
In an official statement issued on September 16, the OIC General Secretariat said the alleged attacks had caused fear among civilians, violated the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and mosques, and provoked Muslims around the world.
The 57-member Islamic organisation said actions against holy sites, places of worship and civilian infrastructure constituted terrorism contrary to Islamic values, international norms and law. It described any violation of the sanctity of holy sites as unacceptable and called for those responsible to be deterred.
The OIC also expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed measures taken by Riyadh to protect its security, sovereignty, civilians and holy sites.
Saudi Arabia Says Drone Intercepted Near Makkah
The OIC statement followed an announcement from the Saudi-led coalition that Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50pm local time on Tuesday, with wreckage falling south of Makkah.
The coalition attributed the drone to the Houthis. Al-Malki said the protection of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line” and said measures would be taken to deter further threats.
According to the coalition, the incident represented a second Houthi attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic missile it said was launched towards the city on July 27, 2017.
No casualties from the latest interception near Makkah were reported in the available accounts.
Houthis Deny Targeting Makkah
The Houthis, however, denied the Saudi allegation that they had targeted Makkah.
Houthi politburo member Hazem al-Assad rejected the coalition’s account and said the group posed no threat to Makkah or other Islamic holy sites.
This denial is important to the framing of the story. While the OIC statement describes the incidents as Houthi attacks, the attribution of the intercepted drone to the group comes from the Saudi-led coalition and is disputed by the Houthis.
For that reason, independent news coverage should distinguish the confirmed interception announced by Saudi authorities from the disputed question of who launched the drone and whether Makkah itself was the intended target.
OIC Backs Saudi Arabia
The OIC’s intervention adds a significant diplomatic dimension to the incident because the organisation represents Muslim-majority states and describes itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.
The organisation said attacks affecting holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure violated religious sanctity as well as international principles.
It also called on the international community to condemn such actions and help prevent further regional escalation.
The statement was published on the OIC’s official website on Wednesday, providing direct primary-source confirmation of the organisation’s position.
Attacks Reported Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
The Makkah incident followed separate missile and drone attacks reported elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition said 13 civilians were injured in attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, with seven homes and two vehicles damaged.
Those incidents come amid renewed fighting involving the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
The current escalation follows years of conflict in Yemen. The Houthis seized Sanaa and other parts of the country in 2014, while a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.
Why the Makkah Incident Is Particularly Sensitive
Makkah is home to the Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba, making it Islam’s holiest city and the destination for millions of Muslims performing Hajj and Umrah.
Madinah is home to the Prophet’s Mosque and is Islam’s second-holiest city.
Any reported military threat involving the two regions therefore carries significance beyond the Saudi-Yemen conflict and can prompt reactions across the wider Muslim world.
The OIC’s statement reflects that sensitivity, but the competing Saudi and Houthi accounts mean the military attribution must continue to be presented carefully.
At present, Saudi authorities say they intercepted a Houthi drone approaching restricted airspace near Makkah, while the Houthis deny targeting the city or Islamic holy sites.
