Claim of Attack on Mecca Is a Malicious Allegation, Saudi Arabia Targeted 2,000 Mosques in Yemen, Says Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi

Shiite News: Sayyed Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, leader of Ansar Allah and head of Yemen’s Supreme Revolutionary Council, has strongly rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that Yemen targeted Mecca, describing the allegation as a major falsehood and a serious accusation. He said the Yemeni people are deeply committed to protecting the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Mecca, and remain prepared to sacrifice their lives and possessions in defense of Islamic holy sites.

In his latest televised address, al-Houthi sharply criticized Saudi Arabia and said the Yemeni people had been confronting what he described as Saudi aggression and a blockade for 12 years. He said Yemen had remained in a defensive position and accused Saudi Arabia of repeatedly initiating hostilities. He also praised what he described as the resilience and achievements of the Yemeni armed forces.

Al-Houthi claimed that Saudi-led attacks over the past 12 years had killed thousands of civilians, including women and children, and that more than 2,000 mosques had been targeted. He also alleged attacks on a center for the blind, historic buildings and cemeteries. He described alleged sexual crimes and other abuses as part of a sustained policy rather than isolated incidents, saying evidence had also been presented to the United Nations. These figures and allegations were presented by al-Houthi and are not independently established in the sources reviewed. UN and other reporting has documented attacks on civilian and religious sites in Yemen during the conflict.

Addressing the impact of the blockade, the Yemeni leader said civilians faced severe difficulties obtaining food and medicine. He also alleged that restrictions were intended to deprive Yemen of oil and gas revenues and government salaries.

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Al-Houthi said the allegation that Yemen targeted Mecca was being used by Saudi Arabia as propaganda to influence public opinion. Saudi authorities, meanwhile, said on September 15 that they had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace. Houthi officials, including al-Houthi, have denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites.