KRG condemns drone attack on Saudi Arabia and Mecca attempt

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations condemned the drone attack on Saudi Arabia and what it called an attempt to target Mecca, saying it threatened civilians and visitors to the holy city.

The department “condemns in the strongest terms the targeting of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with drones and the attempt to target Mecca,” it said, describing Saudi security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity as necessary for regional stability and saying “any attack targeting its territory or putting civilians at risk is rejected and condemned.” An attempt on Mecca, given its standing for Muslims worldwide, “represents an extremely dangerous development,” it said, expressing full solidarity with the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it had intercepted and destroyed a drone the previous day as it tried to enter Mecca’s airspace, calling it a cowardly attack by the Houthis and urging the international community to take a firm stance. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree and other officials denied the group had targeted Mecca or any religious site, calling the allegation a fabrication for propaganda.

The head of the Iraq National Project, Jamal al-Dhari, called on Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and other Arab and Muslim governments to close Houthi offices on their territory. The Houthis have had a presence in Baghdad for years, with Iraqi media identifying a representative and an office in Jadriya, though officials have never confirmed its formal status.