EXPLOSIONS IN SANAA
The accusation came as fighting intensified in Yemen.
AFP correspondents heard loud explosions in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Thursday evening, while the internationally recognised government’s military said it had carried out strikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa, Saada and Taiz.
A spokesman said the military had conducted a “high-value targeting operation” in Sanaa and struck 11 targets in Saada.
He added that 27 air strikes had targeted an “integrated military system” belonging to the Houthis in Taiz.
The Houthis, who control Sanaa and much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, have repeatedly launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia since the kingdom intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015.
Attacks linked to Islam’s holy cities, however, are rare.
On Thursday, a senior Houthi official again rejected accusations that the movement had targeted Islamic holy sites, according to Houthi media.
“PROVOCATIVE ATTACKS”
Türkiye strongly condemned the alleged attack and voiced support for Saudi Arabia.
“We strongly condemn the Houthis’ attack on civilian infrastructure” in Madinah, the foreign ministry said.
“These provocative attacks, which threaten Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security and target the sacred values of the Islamic world, must cease immediately and unconditionally.”
Türkiye said it reiterated its “strong support for Saudi Arabia” and called for steps to prevent further escalation.
Qatar also condemned the attack. In a statement, Doha said it was “a grave assault on the sanctity of Islamic holy sites”, a violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law.
It reaffirmed its “full solidarity” with Riyadh and said the kingdom’s security was an integral part of Gulf security.
The League of Arab States joined the chorus, calling the attack “an unacceptable transgression”.
The organisation said the attack “provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide” and represented a dangerous escalation.
Al-Azhar, the Cairo-based institute of Sunni Islamic learning, also denounced the incident.
It said “targeting Madinah provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide”.
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