GCC: Houthis endangering Makkah is a violation of the sanctity of holy sites
Agencies3 min read
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The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stated that the Houthi group's exposure of Makkah to the risks of attacks represents "a highly dangerous violation of the sanctity of holy places and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world."
According to a statement issued by the Council's General Secretariat on Saturday evening, Albudaiwi condemned "in the strongest terms the terrorist Houthi attack on a number of regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the consequences of intercepting two ballistic missiles, which resulted in parts of them falling in Wadi Al-Mugammis in Makkah, and debris from the interception falling in locations in the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh."
He emphasized that "this sinful attack by the terrorist Houthi militia embodies a flagrant disregard for the lives and safety of civilians, and a criminal escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region."
Albudaiwi affirmed that "exposing Makkah to the risks of these attacks represents a highly dangerous violation of the sanctity of holy places and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world, which cannot be justified or tolerated under any pretext."
He pointed out that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the GCC states, and that the Council states stand united alongside the Kingdom in confronting these attacks, supporting all measures it takes to protect its territories and safeguard the security of its citizens and residents on its land.
Albudaiwi also called on the international community to take "a firm stance and effective measures to put an end to these sinful attacks."
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group towards the Makkah and Madinah regions, which led to parts of them falling in Wadi Al-Mugammis in Makkah, and debris in locations in the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh, according to what was reported by the Saudi Press Agency "SPA" from the Civil Defense.
The Civil Defense did not announce any injuries or material damage as a result of the falling debris, while the Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, denied targeting holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, saying that the operations targeted oil facilities and military bases, with details to be announced later.
Saudi Arabia had previously announced that Makkah and Madinah had been subjected to three targeting attempts by the Houthis since 2017, the last of which were two attempts last September, amidst Islamic condemnations and denials from the Yemeni group.
Makkah houses the Grand Mosque and the Holy Kaaba, while Madinah hosts the Prophet's Mosque, and millions of Muslims visit them annually to perform Hajj, Umrah, and Ziyarah.
These developments come in light of the Houthi group's escalation of its attacks against Saudi Arabia since July 2026, which intensified during this October, with the intensification of its missile and drone attacks on airports, oil facilities, and military sites in the Kingdom.
On October 4, the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council announced the start of a comprehensive military battle against the Houthis, while the Coalition to Support Legitimacy confirmed its continued support for the Yemeni government and its armed forces to regain control of the areas under the group's control.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government in the face of the Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and other governorates since September 2014.
