ERBIL () — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) on Wednesday strongly condemned the targeting of Saudi Arabia with drones and the reported attempt to target Mecca, describing it as a serious threat to the Kingdom’s security and the safety of civilians and pilgrims visiting Islam’s holiest site.
In a statement, the department said Saudi Arabia’s security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are essential to the security and stability of the region, stressing that any attack targeting Saudi territory or placing civilians at risk is unacceptable and must be condemned.
The department described the reported targeting of Mecca as a particularly serious development given the city’s profound religious and spiritual significance to Muslims around the world.
It said such actions threaten the sanctity of religious sites and the safety of pilgrims, calling for a clear and firm condemnation of any attack directed toward holy places.
The DFR expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in protecting its security, sovereignty, citizens, residents, and visitors, while reaffirming its support for efforts aimed at strengthening security, peace, and stability across the region.
The department also stressed that political and regional disputes should not be used as a justification for targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure, or religious sanctities.
“Respect for the sovereignty of states, the sanctity of holy places, and the protection of civilians” should remain fundamental principles that must not be violated, the department said.
The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing concerns over attacks involving drones and missiles across the Middle East.
Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis south of Mecca before it entered the restricted airspace of Islam’s holiest city, according to the Saudi-led coalition, in a major escalation of the widening conflict across the region.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said early Wednesday that the drone was intercepted on Tuesday evening before reaching Mecca’s prohibited airspace. He described the incident as the second attempt by the Houthis to target the holy city, following a ballistic missile launch in 2017, according to Saudi and Reuters reports.
The reported incident has drawn particular attention because Mecca is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, and is the destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims each year for Hajj and Umrah.
“The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line,” al-Maliki said, warning that the Saudi-led coalition would take necessary measures to deter further Houthi attacks.
