Ibrahim calls for the protection of holy sites
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed concern over an incident involving a drone said to have been sent by the Houthis near Mecca and intercepted by Saudi Arabia’s air defenses.
In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, Ibrahim said attempts to threaten the security and sanctity of Islam’s holiest city were wholly unacceptable.
Expressing satisfaction with Saudi Arabia’s intervention in the incident, Ibrahim said the events showed that further escalation of tensions in the region must be prevented.
Ibrahim called for attacks targeting holy sites and civilian areas to end immediately. He urged the parties to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue.
Drone destroyed before reaching restricted airspace
Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the coalition forces, said Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed the drone sent south of Mecca on Tuesday evening.
Al-Maliki said the aircraft had been neutralized before entering the restricted airspace designated for the city. He said it was the second attempt to target Mecca.
Al-Maliki said the first attempt took place on July 27, 2017, with the launch of a ballistic missile, and described the latest incident as a “hostile and terrorist attempt.”
Conflict in Yemen fuels tensions
The Houthis announced on July 20 that they had decided to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. The group said the decision was in response to its claim that Saudi Arabia was imposing a sea and air blockade on areas under its control in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition supporting Yemen’s legitimate government since March 2015. The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, as well as some provinces since September 2014 and are accused of receiving support from Iran.
