Pres. Muizzu condemns attack on Mecca, reaffirms solidarity with Saudi Arabia

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has strongly condemned the attempted Houthi drone attack targeting the Holy City of Makkah.

In a post on X, the President stated that any act that threatens the safety and sanctity of Islam’s holiest site is entirely unacceptable and deeply offensive to the Muslim Ummah.

He reaffirmed the Maldives’ full solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He also commended the swift response of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces in protecting the Holy City, its pilgrims, and residents.

I strongly condemn the attempted Houthi drone attack targeting the Holy City of Makkah. Any act that threatens the safety and sanctity of Islam’s holiest city is completely unacceptable and deeply offensive to the entire Muslim Ummah.

The Maldives stands in full solidarity with…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) September 16, 2026

The President also called for an immediate halt to such attacks, urging all parties concerned to refrain from further escalation and pursue peace and dialogue.                

Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said a drone launched by Houthi forces towards Makkah was intercepted south of the city at around 18:50pm last night. The drone was downed before it could enter Makkah’s restricted airspace.

He said the incident was the second attempted Houthi attack targeting Makkah since a ballistic missile was launched towards the city in July 2017. The spokesperson stressed that the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and the safety of Umrah pilgrims remain a "red line."

Houthi officials, however, have denied reports that an attack targeting Makkah took place.

The Houthis have stepped up attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past week. According to the coalition, a Houthi attack on a Saudi airbase on Monday injured 13 people. The Houthis have also strengthened their control over several areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as a vital global shipping route.

Following the attempted attack, Saudi Arabia has increased security measures and issued temporary alerts in cities including Makkah and Jeddah. After a period of relative calm under a UN-brokered truce in 2022, hostilities between the two sides have intensified again since last July.