OIC Condemns Alleged Houthi Attacks on Makkah, Madinah Region
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — WEB DESK: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned what it described as Houthi attacks on Makkah and the Madinah region, accusing the attackers of seeking to terrorise civilians and violate the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and mosques.
The OIC statement came amid a sharp escalation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis, with Riyadh accusing the group of launching a drone towards Makkah.
Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed the drone south of Makkah on Tuesday before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city, according to Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki.
The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah, meaning the attribution and intended target remain disputed.
Saudi Arabia Says Drone Intercepted South of Makkah
Al-Malki said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50pm local time on Tuesday, with its wreckage falling south of Makkah. The coalition described the incident as a second Houthi attempt to target the city, citing a ballistic missile incident in July 2017.
The spokesman said protecting the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line” for Saudi Arabia and warned that the coalition would take measures aimed at deterring further attacks.
Makkah is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba and is Islam’s holiest city, while Madinah is home to the Prophet’s Mosque.
The religious importance of the two cities makes any reported military threat involving them particularly sensitive across the Muslim world.
OIC Condemns Reported Attacks
The OIC described the reported attacks as “heinous” and said they were intended to frighten civilians and violate the sanctity of holy places and mosques.
The statement adds a significant diplomatic response to the escalation because the OIC represents 57 member states and serves as a major multilateral organisation for Muslim-majority countries.
However, the organisation’s condemnation reflects its position on the reported incidents and should be distinguished from independent verification of who launched the drone or its intended target.
Houthis Deny Targeting Makkah
A Houthi official rejected Saudi Arabia’s allegation that the group had sent a drone towards Makkah, describing the accusation as false.
The group has acknowledged carrying out other attacks against Saudi targets during the current escalation but says it does not target Islamic holy sites. Reuters reported that the Houthis claimed responsibility for several recent operations against Saudi territory while denying the Makkah allegation.
This distinction is critical for publication: Saudi Arabia says the drone was launched by the Houthis towards Makkah; the Houthis deny that claim.
No independently verified evidence available at publication establishes the drone’s intended target beyond the Saudi coalition’s account.
13 Civilians Injured in Separate Attacks, Coalition Says
The Makkah incident followed other reported missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition said 13 civilians were injured in attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, while seven homes and two vehicles were damaged.
Saudi authorities have issued unusually broad security alerts as the conflict intensifies. On Tuesday, Civil Defence later announced that immediate danger had passed in Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, AlUla, Taif and Yanbu after alerts were issued.
The expanding threat has also affected Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and oil-export routes. Recent attacks have disrupted the East-West Pipeline at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is already heavily constrained.
Yemen Conflict Intensifies
Fighting in Yemen has escalated sharply after years of relative calm.
Reuters reports that Houthi forces have made territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and captured strategically important positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi warplanes have intensified strikes against Houthi positions.
The Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The escalation has therefore increased concerns not only about Saudi security but also about global shipping and energy supplies.
The humanitarian situation inside Yemen is also worsening. Thousands of civilians have fled towards southern Yemen amid renewed fighting, while more than 100,000 people have been internally displaced, according to recent reporting citing UN refugee agency figures.
Why Careful Attribution Matters
The central facts can currently be separated into three parts.
Saudi Arabia says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace and attributes the aircraft to the Houthis.
The OIC has condemned what it describes as Houthi attacks involving Makkah and the Madinah region.
The Houthis deny targeting Makkah.
Until independent evidence establishes the origin and intended target of the drone, reporting should retain those distinctions rather than present the allegation that the Houthis deliberately targeted Makkah as an independently confirmed fact.
