Targeting Holy Makkah is terrorism that crosses all red lines and a flagrant assault on the sanctity of Muslim holy sites.

Statement of Condemnation and Denunciation

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture “Will and Hope” condemns in the strongest terms, and denounces the terrorist Houthi militia’s targeting of Holy Makkah with a Houthi drone on 4 Rabi’ al-Thani 1448 AH (September 15, 2026). This represents an extremely grave assault targeting the sanctity of the Holy City and endangering the safety of civilians and pilgrims (Guests of Rahman).

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture emphasizes that Holy Makkah and the Holy Kaaba are neither military targets nor arenas for political and military conflicts or Iranian-Houthi adventures. Rather, they are the Qiblah of Muslims and the sanctuary of their hearts, housing the Grand Mosque, which millions of Muslims from around the world visit to perform Umrah, pray, and worship.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the interception and destruction of the drone before it entered the restricted airspace of Holy Makkah. Compromising the security of Holy Makkah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, or endangering the sanctity of the holy sites, represents an extremely grave breach of religious, humanitarian, and legal red lines, and a provocation to the feelings of 2 billion Muslims worldwide. Furthermore, it constitutes a direct threat to the safety and security of visitors, Umrah pilgrims, residents, and civilians, as well as an aggression against another country.

Targeting Holy Makkah or attempting to penetrate its sacred airspace cannot be treated as merely a passing military development. It concerns the holiest of Muslim sanctuaries—a place that must remain entirely distanced from military operations, violence, and targeting.

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture stresses that the sanctity of Holy Makkah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is a red line, and that safeguarding their security and the safety of the pilgrims is a responsibility transcending political and military calculations, touching upon the emotions, rights, and dignity of 2 billion Muslims around the world.

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture also calls upon the international community, the United Nations, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to condemn the targeting of holy sites or putting civilians and pilgrims at risk, and to investigate the circumstances of the incident and hold those responsible accountable under international law.

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture affirms that the Islamic world cannot treat any threat against Holy Makkah as a local matter. Impairing the Qiblah of Muslims is an infringement upon religious sanctuaries of global significance, requiring a clear and firm international stance to prevent the recurrence of such acts. Holy Makkah will remain a red line, and the security of the Grand Mosque and the safety of pilgrims must remain above all conflicts and political calculations.

Issued by: The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture “Will and Hope”

September 23, 2026 – Yemen – Marib