Qatar condemned the drone attempt toward southern Mecca and called for holy sites to be kept away from regional conflicts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the attempt targeting the sanctity of Mecca and the Kaaba crossed all religious, moral and humanitarian red lines. The ministry said the act was an overt provocation against the feelings of more than one billion Muslims worldwide.
The statement stressed that the sanctity of holy sites and the safety of those visiting them must not be threatened, targeted or exploited in regional conflicts. Qatar said actions that could endanger Mecca and other holy sites would constitute a serious escalation.
Doha declared its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said it supported all measures the country would take to protect its security, territorial integrity, Islamic holy sites and the safety of pilgrims. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to protect the security of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
Qatar categorically rejected targeting civilians and holy sites and reiterated its call for holy sites to be protected from the consequences of regional conflicts.
Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition forces, said in a statement on Tuesday evening that Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca. Maliki said the drone had been neutralized before entering the city’s no-fly airspace.
Maliki said this was the second attempt to target Mecca. He said the first attempt took place on July 27, 2017, when a ballistic missile was launched.
The Houthis announced on July 20 that they had decided to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The group based its decision on its claim that Saudi Arabia was imposing a naval and air blockade on areas it controlled in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition supporting Yemen’s government since March 2015. The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces in Yemen since September 2014. The group is accused of receiving support from Iran.
Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi-owned ships as well as various sites in the country, including energy production facilities. Civilians were harmed and property damage was caused in these attacks.
