Drone attack near Makkah: India condemns incident, highlights city’s significance to Muslims
India on Wednesday expressed ‘deep concern' over a drone attack near the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, condemning attacks on the kingdom’s sovereign territory and calling for an early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the incident was particularly concerning because of Makkah’s significance to Muslims across the world.
‘We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure,' MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries.
'The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world,' he added.
India’s statement came a day after Saudi air defence forces intercepted and destroyed what Saudi authorities described as a hostile drone launched by the Houthis before it could enter the prohibited airspace around Makkah. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the drone was intercepted in southern Makkah at 6.50 pm on September 15.
Major General Turki Al-Malki, official spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the drone was launched by the Houthi militia and described the incident as the second attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic missile attempt on July 27, 2017.
Al-Malki said the latest incident was aimed at terrorising Umrah performers and described it as a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims.
He also said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and Umrah performers remained a 'red line', warning that the coalition would take necessary measures against the Houthis.
India, meanwhile, called for peace and stability in the region.
'We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,' Jaiswal said.
The Indian government has also reiterated its opposition to actions that put civilian lives and infrastructure at risk, while stressing the particular significance of the incident because it occurred near Makkah, one of Islam’s holiest cities.