Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Condemns Houthi Attacks on Mecca as 'Heinous Crime'

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has publicly branded Yemen’s armed Houthi movement a “terrorist militia,” accusing the Iran-allied faction of repeatedly targeting the holy city of Mecca.

During a cabinet meeting, the Saudi monarch delivered a sharp intervention in current affairs, calling the suspected Houthi targeting of Islam’s holiest site a “heinous crime” and a provocation against Muslims worldwide. The remarks follow an incident where Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a drone launched toward Mecca, a claim strongly denied by Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, who labeled the accusation a “heinous lie.”

King Salman commended military and security services for defending the kingdom and safeguarding holy sites, pilgrims, and residents. He also highlighted recent diplomatic discussions held by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, as well as conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding regional stability and maritime security.

Amid escalating regional conflict, Houthi missile and drone attacks have increasingly targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure, and shipping lanes. Notably, coalition forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh, impacting areas near King Khalid International Airport. The growing tensions have also impacted global energy supplies as Houthi forces expand control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, coinciding with the recent signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan.