Medina:Saudi Arabia has reported three attempts by Houthi forces to target the holy cities of Mecca and Medina over the last nine years. These incidents, including two in September, have led to widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim nations.

According to Anadolu Agency, The Yemeni Houthi group has denied some of these accusations. The most recent alleged attacks were directed at Medina and an area south of Mecca, with the first reported attempt dating back to July 2017. Both Mecca and Medina are home to Islam's most sacred sites, including the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba in Mecca, and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting Yemen‚s internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and several provinces since September 2014. Hostilities increased in September following the Houthis' declaration of a 'maritime blockade' on Saudi Arabia in July, and subsequent claims of ballistic missile and drone attacks on Saudi locations.

On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition reported a Houthi-attributed drone attack on a power station in Medina. The coalition's spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, stated that the attack disrupted a transformer but did not impact the electricity grid. He accused the Houthis of targeting civilian infrastructure vital to the Prophet's Mosque.

Furthermore, Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on September 16. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry indicated this was the second attempt to target Mecca, following an earlier incident in July 2017. King Salman bin Abdulaziz condemned the attempts, noting the global Muslim community's outrage over threats to holy sites.

In July 2017, the Saudi-led coalition intercepted a ballistic missile over Taif province, reportedly launched by the Houthis toward Mecca. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, asserting their missiles were aimed at a military base in Taif.

International reactions to these incidents have been significant. Countries including T¼rkiye, Qatar, Egypt, and several others, along with organizations like the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have issued statements condemning the attacks and warning of their potential to offend Muslims worldwide.