India Condemns Houthi Drone Attack Near Mecca, Calls for Early Restoration of Peace in West Asia

India has expressed deep concern over an attempted drone attack on the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia, with the Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemning the incident as "particularly concerning" given its impact on Muslim communities worldwide.

The drone attack was intercepted and destroyed by Saudi authorities on Tuesday evening. However, not before it posed a threat to civilian lives and infrastructure. The Houthis, who have been carrying out attacks on Saudi Arabia's civilian infrastructure and economic assets, denied targeting Mecca or any Islamic holy site.

The drone attack near Makkah is the latest in a series of strikes by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, the Iran-backed militant group had attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline. This is considered vital for the supply of crude oil.

Read More: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Writes to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Calls for Engagement and Dialogue

Ever since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The East-West pipeline has served as a critical bypass for Saudi Arabia's oil exports. The MEA, spokesperson shared.

on Tuesday that the issue of the Houthis was also discussed during the meeting between Jaishankar and the Saudi Foreign minister.

Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson, said: "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."

Also Read: ‘Trust of Global South in BRICS has grown’: PM Narendra Modi

"The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world," he added, adding: "We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region".

The drone attack targeting Makkah is being seen as a major escalation in the tensions in West Asia. The MEA, spokesperson shared. that such attacks undermine regional stability and put at risk freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

"These are obviously unacceptable to us; we hope there is early restoration of peace and stability in the region," Jaiswal had said.