Saudi officials and international religious leaders have condemned the Houthi militia’s ballistic missile attacks targeting Mecca and Medina on October 24, 2026. While the Kingdom successfully intercepted the projectiles, the incident has triggered widespread calls for a definitive, unified Islamic stance against the targeting of the two holiest sites in Islam.
Intercepted Missiles and Impact in Mecca and Medina
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Saudi authorities successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia toward the regions of Mecca and Medina. According to official reports, the debris from the interception fell in the Wadi al-Mughammas area, situated approximately 21 kilometers east of the Grand Mosque and seven kilometers from the Arafat site, as well as in various locations across the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, and Rabigh, reported by Anadolu Ajansı.
Despite the proximity of the debris to populated areas, officials confirmed that the incident did not disrupt the performance of religious rites. Visitors to the Grand Mosque continued their worship normally, according to Saudi state media. In response, the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, denied the accusations, labeling them a great and grand fabrication and asserting that the group’s operations specifically target military and oil infrastructure, as reported by Arabi21.
Demands for Collective Religious Action
The attack prompted a sharp rebuke from Saudi religious leadership. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, called upon Muslim scholars and religious institutions to move beyond simple condemnation. He argued for the adoption of decisive collective religious positions that would formally criminalize the targeting of the Two Holy Mosques, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and Imam Saleh Al-Maghamsi both denounced the act as a crime prohibited by Islamic law, noting that the Houthi militia’s actions reveal a profound lack of faith and knowledge, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı.
Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, described the attack as a highly dangerous violation of the sanctity of the holy sites and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims across the world.
The Muslim World League (MWL) also issued a stern condemnation. Secretary General Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa described the Houthi approach as treason to the religion and Muslims and prayed for the Kingdom to prevail over the guilty criminals, as noted by Al-Madina newspaper. Meanwhile, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, condemned the attacks as sinful and advocated for the formation of an urgent mediation committee to de-escalate regional tensions.
Attacks on Holy Cities Threaten Global Pilgrim Safety
Political analysts and researchers view the targeting of the holy cities as a dangerous escalation that extends beyond Saudi security concerns to impact the safety of pilgrims globally. Experts noted that such attacks reflect the militia’s intent to export internal crises, particularly following strikes on their own command centers and weapon caches, as reported by Alyaum.
Zayed Jaber, an undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Culture and political researcher, suggested that these actions are rooted in a specific ideological framework that considers Mecca and Medina a house of war if not under the rule of the lineage the Houthis believe is entitled to the Imamate. Jaber further explained that for the Houthi movement, weapons are part of the doctrine, and he asserted that the group uses religious rhetoric to justify its military operations, according to Yemen Monitor. The international community faces ongoing pressure to address these threats, with countries like Pakistan reaffirming their support for the Kingdom’s security and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques, as stated by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia toward the Mecca and Medina regions, with debris falling in several locations, including Jeddah, Taif and RabighFollow our live coverage 👇https://t.co/engl6ItPk3 pic.twitter.com/qM8ieAHi4b
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🚨 SAUDI ARABIA ON ALERT Debris from two ballistic missiles intercepted after being launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Mecca and Medina fell in an area near Mecca, as the group claimed attacks on multiple Saudi oil facilities, airports and military installations. Read…