Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed new strikes on Saudi energy and military targets on Wednesday, even as the kingdom reported shooting down a drone approaching the outskirts of Makkah.
he militant group’s attacks have drawn a wave of global condemnation after Riyadh said it intercepted a drone fired toward Makkah, home to Islam’s holiest site, the House of Allah
Houthi Claims of Strikes on Yanbu and Khamis Mushait
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the group had attacked Aramco facilities in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and an airbase in Khamis Mushait. Saudi Arabia had not confirmed either claim by the time of the reports.
The statements came amid a sharp uptick in cross-border exchanges after a period of relative calm in the Yemen conflict.
Saudi Arabia Says It Intercepted Houthi Drone Fired Toward Makkah, Sparking Outrage
Saudi Coalition Reports Drone Intercepted Near Makkah
Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah on Tuesday evening, according to Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition.
The spokesperson said the drone was downed around 6:50 p.m. local time before it could enter restricted airspace, with wreckage falling south of the city.
Al-Malki described the incident as the Houthis’ second attempt to target Makkah, following an earlier ballistic missile incident in 2017, and called the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims a “red line.” He said the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks.
Saudi Arabia Activates Alerts for Holy City of Makkah as Houthis Refuse to Back Off
Saudi authorities had issued brief security alerts for Makkah and other areas earlier that evening. The Houthis denied targeting the holy city, with officials calling such claims fabrications and stating their operations focused on oil facilities and military bases far from religious sites.
Houthis Reject Allegations of Attack on Makkah
The Houthis strongly rejected the Saudi account of attack on the holy city of Makkah.
Hazem al-Assad, a member of the group’s political bureau, said on X that the accusation was false and described claims that the Houthis had targeted Makkah as a repeated allegation that no longer convinced people.
OIC Condemns Threats to Holy Sites
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a strong statement condemning what it called “heinous attacks” against the city of Makkah and the Madinah region, as well as ongoing aggression against Saudi Arabia.
The OIC said the actions “instil fear in innocent civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and provoke the sentiments of Muslims around the world.”
The OIC General Secretariat Condemns the Houthi Attacks on Makkah and the Madinah Region. #الحوثي_يستهدف_مكة pic.twitter.com/YcHhCFfsir
— سعود حافظ | Saud Hafiz (@saudrahman27) September 16, 2026
It described the Houthi actions against holy sites, mosques, and civilian infrastructure as terrorism that runs counter to Islamic values and international law. The secretariat expressed full solidarity with Riyadh and support for measures to deter the aggressors, preserve the sanctity of the sites, and protect Saudi security and sovereignty.
Pakistan’s Strong Response
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the “reprehensible drone attack” targeting Makkah.
In a statement shared on X platform, he said the act violated Saudi sovereignty and territorial integrity, gravely offended the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide, and threatened regional peace and security. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding the sanctity and security of the Two Holy Mosques and ensuring the safety of pilgrims, citizens, and residents.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Houthi military escalation inside Yemen, continued attacks against Saudi Arabia, and developments along Yemen’s Red Sea coast had brought the conflict to an “extremely dangerous juncture.”
I strongly condemn the reprehensible drone attack, targeting the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. pic.twitter.com/N4cUpNzpe9
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) September 16, 2026
He condemned all Houthi attacks against the kingdom in the strongest terms, reaffirmed support for Saudi sovereignty and its right to defend its territory under the UN Charter, and warned that threats to commercial shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait endangered freedom of navigation, global supply chains, and energy security.
Ahmad called for urgent diplomacy and a return to an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under United Nations auspices.
US and Chinese Calls for Restraint
The United States demanded that the Houthis halt their advances, withdraw from seized territory, and cease attacks. U.S. representative Jennifer Locetta also called on Iran to end its support for the group, accusing Tehran of arming, funding, and directing the Houthis.
China’s representative at the UN, Sun Lei, urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations. He stressed that protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is a shared international responsibility that requires an end to armed conflict and a lasting peace, while calling for a greater role for Gulf countries in mediation.
Yemen’s Recognized Government and Regional Reactions
Yemen’s Foreign Ministry condemned the drone attempt as a “terrorist” act targeting the holy city. It called the move a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty, an assault on the sanctity of the sacred land, and a provocation of Muslim feelings worldwide.
The ministry said the attack continued the militia’s hostile approach and previous attempts to target Makkah, held the Houthis and the Iranian regime fully responsible, and praised the efficiency of Saudi air defenses. It reaffirmed solidarity with Riyadh and support for Saudi measures to protect the holy sites and its citizens under international law, while calling for a firm Arab, Islamic, and international stance to cut off arms supplies and enforce relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry denounced the “flagrant violation” of Saudi sovereignty and the “unacceptable aggression” that it said showed contempt for the status and sanctity of Makkah. Spokesperson Ambassador Fouad Al Majali affirmed Jordan’s absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all steps to protect its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the drone attack, reaffirming deep respect for the sanctity of Makkah and other holy sites and expressing solidarity with Riyadh in protecting them. It underscored that the safety and security of the holy sites must be fully respected and protected at all times.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed grave concern over reports of a drone intercepted near Makkah. In a statement on X, he said any attempt to threaten the safety and sanctity of Islam’s holiest city would be wholly unacceptable. He appreciated Saudi Arabia’s swift action to protect residents and pilgrims, warned against further regional escalation, and urged relevant parties to exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue without delay.
The flurry of claims, interceptions, and diplomatic statements underscores the rapid deterioration of the Yemen conflict and the heightened sensitivities surrounding any threat to Makkah and Madinah. Saudi Arabia has not yet publicly detailed its next steps beyond the coalition’s vow to take deterrent measures.
The allegation has nevertheless added a particularly sensitive religious dimension to an already rapidly widening conflict.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
