King Salman Condemns Houthis Over Attacks on Mecca

Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has described the Houthi armed group in Yemen as a “terrorist militia”. He stated that the group, which is allied with Iran, has repeatedly targeted the Holy Land.

According to Al Jazeera, the statement was made by King Salman during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (22/9). The remarks were reported by the official Saudi news agency, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

King Salman referred to the alleged Houthi attacks on Mecca as a “vile crime” and a provocation against Muslims worldwide.

Last week, Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca. However, the Houthi faction has strongly denied these allegations.

Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi even described the Saudi claims as a “vile lie”.

The activation of a security alert status in Mecca last week was the first such occurrence in almost ten years. Mecca is the location of the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam.

King Salman also expressed his appreciation to the Saudi military and security forces. He praised them for defending the homeland and for firmly confronting all forms of aggression against holy sites, pilgrims, citizens, and the inhabitants of the Kingdom.