OIC condemns ‘heinous’ Houthi attack on Mecca

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned what it described as a “heinous” Houthi attack on Mecca and the Madinah region.

The condemnation followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca or any other Islamic holy site.

• Empty seats as schools reopen in Venezuela’s quake-hit La Guaira
• Messi set for Argentina farewell against Benin

In a statement on Wednesday, the OIC said the alleged attacks terrorised civilians, violated the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and mosques, and provoked Muslims around the world.

The 57-member organisation said attacks targeting holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure constituted terrorism and were incompatible with Islamic values and international laws and norms.

The OIC called for measures to deter those responsible and prevent further attacks on Islamic holy sites.

It also expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures taken by the kingdom to protect the holy sites, the lives of Muslims, its security and sovereignty.

The Saudi-led coalition said the drone was intercepted at about 6:50pm local time on Tuesday, with its wreckage falling south of Mecca.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile incident in July 2017.

The Houthis, however, rejected the allegation, with a senior official saying the group did not target Mecca or other holy sites.

The incident came amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, following a series of missile and drone attacks and Saudi-led strikes in Yemen.