Yesterday's Friday sermon in the Maldives stated that Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted Islam's holiest site, Mecca, with a drone attack last Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia reported that it had intercepted a Houthi drone strike aimed at Mecca. However, the Houthis have denied the allegations, claiming the reports were fabricated by Saudi authorities.
The Friday sermon, prepared by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and delivered across the Maldives, noted that the Houthis are carrying out attacks that desecrate the sanctity of Mecca and Medina, and condemned these actions in the strongest terms.
"...We strongly condemn the brutal, inhumane, and aggressive attacks and threats carried out by the Houthis, which violate the sanctity of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina," the sermon stated.
The Maldives is a member of the maritime defense coalition established by Saudi Arabia to counter the Houthis. The Maldivian Parliament approved joining this coalition last month.
Furthermore, yesterday's sermon included a prayer for the protection of Mecca and Medina from "Houthi attacks."
"O Almighty Allah, protect and safeguard the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and their inhabitants, from the aggressive attacks of the oppressive Houthis," the sermon recited.
The Houthis are an armed group fighting against the Yemeni government. Officially known as "Ansar Allah," they are a Shia movement. The Houthis launched an offensive against the Yemeni government and ousted them from the capital, Sana'a.
The conflict and exchange of fire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis escalated after Saudi forces targeted Sana'a airport. Since then, the Houthis have launched attacks on several Saudi airports, ports, and oil production facilities.
