KUWAIT SLAMS HOUTHI BID TO STRIKE ISLAM’S HOLIEST CITY

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: The State of Kuwait on Wednesday strongly condemned an attempted drone attack by the Houthi militia targeting Makkah, describing the act as a violation of the sanctity of Muslims’ Qibla and an affront to its religious significance and the feelings of Muslims worldwide. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to protect the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security, safeguard the Two Holy Mosques and preserve their sanctity. The ministry also commended the vigilance and efficiency of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces in thwarting the attack, stressing that Saudi Arabia’s security is integral to the security of Kuwait and the GCC countries.

The Joint Forces Command of the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced early Wednesday that the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces had intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by Houthi militias toward the airspace of the Holy City of Makkah. Coalition Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said in a press release that Saudi air defenses detected and neutralized the drone south of Makkah at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday, before it could enter the restricted airspace surrounding the Holy City. Al-Maliki condemned the incident as a despicable act of terror targeting the birthplace of Islam, threatening the safety of pilgrims and endangering residents and citizens. He said the attempted attack was the second major direct breach targeting the Holy City since a ballistic missile attack was intercepted on July 27, 2017. The coalition spokesperson stressed that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims remained an uncrossable red line. He warned that the Joint Forces would take all necessary deterrent measures to counter hostile Houthi actions and protect regional stability. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned the attack and reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia. He called for an end to Houthi attacks, respect for international law and compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident, praised the Saudi forces and called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the attack violated Saudi sovereignty, offended Muslims worldwide and threatened regional security. Both officials reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding the Two Holy Mosques and protecting pilgrims, citizens and residents. Elsewhere, the UN has warned of the consequences of the escalating conflict in Yemen on the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, affirming the need to reduce tensions, prevent further escalation, and ensure freedom of navigation through this key international waterway.

This came in a briefing delivered by UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari on Tuesday evening before an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened to discuss developments in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Khiari said that the situation in the Strait and its surrounding area has become increasingly instable in recent days, amid mounting fighting along Yemen’s western coast and growing concerns over the impact of the conflict on civilians, humanitarian operations and vital maritime routes. He noted that the Houthi militia has continued its advance toward Bab el-Mandeb Strait with reports that it has taken control of several islands in the southern Red Sea. Khiari noted that commercial shipping through the Red Sea has not been affected so far, according to maritime vessel-tracking websites.

The Yemeni government launched a counteroffensive following the Houthis’ advance last week, while local clashes were reported in Ma’rib, Lahij, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Al-Bayda and Saada, he elaborated. In addition, Khiari cautioned that escalation was worsening civilian suffering, noting that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that at least 125,000 people had been displaced across Yemen since the beginning of this month. He added that the UN Human Rights Office documented the killing of eight civilians and the wounding of 32 others - women and children made up half of those killed and more than half of those injured - during the same period. The UN official called for protecting civilians, respecting international humanitarian law, and facilitating safe and unhindered humanitarian access to communities in need.(KUNA)