The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, has issued a formal condemnation of the attacks perpetrated against Mecca and the Medina region by Houthi forces.
The OIC described the assault on the holy city as “heinous,” asserting that such actions were designed to “instill fear among civilians, desecrate the sanctity of holy sites and religious institutions, and inflame the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.”
In an official statement, the OIC General Secretariat declared that strikes targeting “holy sites, religious establishments, and civilian infrastructure constitute acts of terrorism that fundamentally contradict Islamic doctrine, international conventions, and legal frameworks.”
Furthermore, the organisation emphasised that the desecration of sacred sites represents “a violation that cannot be accepted or permitted” and necessitates holding those responsible for such transgressions accountable.
The organisation reaffirmed its “complete solidarity” with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and endorsed the protective measures implemented by the country to safeguard holy sites, civilian populations, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty.
Earlier, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that a drone dispatched by the Houthis towards Mecca had been successfully intercepted and neutralised, marking an escalation that poses potential risks to the sacred city.
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, stated that the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces successfully intercepted the hostile unmanned aircraft before it breached the designated restricted airspace on Tuesday evening.
Al-Maliki denounced the incident as an attempt to intimidate worshippers and endanger civilians, underscoring that the protection of the two holy mosques and pilgrims constitutes a “critical boundary.”
The Houthis have consistently denied targeting Mecca, maintaining that their operations do not extend to sacred locations.