Arab League chief condemns alleged Houthi attack on Makkah

CAIRO, Sept 16:  Arab League Secretary General Nabil Fahmy condemned on Wednesday an alleged attempted attack by Yemen's Houthis targeting Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

Fahmy described the reported attack as an unacceptable violation of the kingdom's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability.

"Compromising the security of Mecca and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites is a matter of extreme gravity," he said in a statement, praising the Saudi air force for thwarting the attack.

He warned that escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory "threaten the region's security and stability".

Fahmy expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures it takes to protect its security and sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis accused the rebels of targeting Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and adding to tensions in the region.

The Houthis swiftly denied involvement, dismissing the accusation as a "lie".

The Saudi-led coalition vowed retaliation, warning that the security of the holy sites was a "red line".

"The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line, and the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the Terrorist Houthi Militia," the coalition said in a statement shared by its spokesman, Turki al-Maliki, on X.

Later on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as the targeting of Mecca, calling it a "cowardly terrorist attack", after the Houthis denied launching a drone at the holy city.

The Gulf kingdom "reaffirms its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend the security of the two holy mosques, the pilgrims, and the entire Saudi territory, its citizens, and its residents," the ministry said.�"AFP