Riyadh: Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar have issued strong condemnations of recent Houthi attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia, underlining their solidarity with the kingdom and endorsing measures to safeguard its security, stability, and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry of Oman decried the 'criminal, sinful and treacherous' targeting of Mecca, emphasizing its rejection of any breach of the sanctity of holy sites or threats to the safety of pilgrims.

According to Anadolu Agency, Oman further expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its efforts to uphold security, stability, and sovereignty. The Omani government called for enhanced regional cooperation and coordination to address bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues, ensuring the security and stability of all states in the region.

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also condemned the Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Taif province. In a statement, it labeled the attack as a blatant violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty and a breach of international law. The ministry reiterated its full support for Saudi Arabia's measures to maintain its sovereignty and protect its people.

Qatar mirrored these sentiments, condemning the 'disgraceful aggressive behavior' and highlighting the violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty. The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasized that Saudi Arabia's security is integral to Qatar's security and to the collective security framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that a drone launched by Yemen's Houthi group was intercepted above the city of Taif, resulting in one fatality and two injuries from debris. Another attempted attack was thwarted by Saudi air defenses before reaching Mecca, an incident denied by the Houthis.

The Saudi-led coalition remarked that this was the second attempt to target Mecca since 2017. Several countries, including Trkiye, Malaysia, and India, as well as international organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have condemned these attacks.

Amid rising tensions, Saudi Arabia has faced increased drone and missile attacks linked to the Houthi group. The conflict escalated after a period of calm following a UN-brokered truce in April 2022. The ongoing conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis captured Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition intervention in support of Yemen's government in 2015.