Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, while also accusing the Yemen-based group of attempting to threaten the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars issued the condemnation through its General Secretariat, saying recent Houthi actions had endangered civilians, destabilized security and threatened sites held sacred by Muslims worldwide.

The council also praised Saudi air defenses and the Kingdom’s armed forces, which it said had prevented alleged attempts to target people visiting the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Saudi Scholars Condemn Houthi Attacks on Civilians and Holy Sites

The statement in which Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks focused on both civilian security and the religious significance of Makkah and Madinah.

The Council of Senior Scholars described attacks on civilians, civilian facilities and Saudi territory as serious acts of aggression and said alleged attempts to threaten Islam’s two holiest cities had added another dimension to the escalation.

Its comments come amid a wider series of condemnations from Saudi authorities, foreign governments, Muslim scholars and international organizations following recent missile and drone attacks on the Kingdom.

1. Council Raises Alarm Over Civilian Safety

The council said Houthi attacks had endangered innocent lives and contributed to instability.

Recent weeks have seen strikes affecting airports and other civilian infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, including incidents in Riyadh and Abha.

The religious body argued that attacks on civilian life, property and public security violated fundamental principles protecting innocent people.

The Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks statement therefore framed the issue not only as a security concern but also as a moral and religious one.

Its wording was strongly critical of the Houthis, but those characterizations remain the council’s own assessment and should be understood as such rather than as an independent legal judgment.

2. Makkah and Madinah Threats Draw Particular Condemnation

The most sensitive part of the statement concerned alleged attempts to threaten Makkah and Madinah.

Saudi authorities have previously reported interceptions involving threats toward areas near the holy cities, and King Salman publicly condemned what Saudi officials described as a Houthi attempt to target Makkah in September.

The Council of Senior Scholars said threats against the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque represented an especially serious form of aggression because of the religious importance of the two cities to Muslims globally.

It praised Saudi air defenses for what it described as preventing attacks from reaching pilgrims and worshippers.

3. Council Uses Strong Religious Language

The statement in which Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks also used religious texts to explain the council’s position.

The General Secretariat cited Qur’anic verses relating to violence, corruption and attacks on protected life and property.

It argued that the alleged Houthi actions encompassed several categories of wrongdoing, including threats to human life, property, stability and sacred places.

The council also compared the danger posed by the Houthis with extremist groups such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda. That comparison is the council’s characterization and not an independent determination by The Arabian Buzz.

Such language reflects the religious authority’s attempt to place the attacks within an Islamic ethical and legal framework rather than treating them only as conventional military incidents.

4. Muslims Urged to Reject Attacks on Sacred Sites

The Council of Senior Scholars called on Muslims to condemn attacks threatening holy places and to remain united against actions that endanger pilgrims, civilians and religious sites.

It appealed for solidarity among Muslims and cooperation in protecting sacred places.

The statement follows wider expressions of support from Islamic figures abroad.

Earlier in October, Saudi Arabia’s Islamic affairs minister received messages from 176 ministers, scholars, muftis and heads of Islamic institutions in more than 70 countries condemning Houthi attacks and voicing support for the Kingdom.

Those messages also raised concerns about risks to pilgrims and the Two Holy Mosques.

Saudi Air Defenses Praised

The council specifically praised the Kingdom’s air-defense forces and armed services for intercepting threats.

Saudi authorities have reported repeated interceptions of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones during the recent escalation.

The Council of Senior Scholars said those defensive actions had helped protect civilians as well as people traveling to or worshipping at Makkah and Madinah.

The Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks statement therefore connects religious condemnation with support for the Kingdom’s security response.

Wider Saudi Government Position

The council’s statement is consistent with the broader position taken by Saudi state institutions.

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has repeatedly condemned Houthi attacks on civilian sites and infrastructure, while also affirming the Kingdom’s right to defend its sovereignty, citizens, residents and vital interests under international law.

More recently, the Cabinet called for stronger international cooperation to protect energy security, trade, supply chains and maritime navigation while condemning attacks on airports and other civilian infrastructure.

The UN Security Council has also condemned escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia and affirmed the Kingdom’s inherent right to self-defense under international law. Saudi Arabia welcomed that statement and highlighted the council’s call to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons and other support.

Religious and Security Concerns Converge

The latest statement shows how the current escalation is being framed on several levels inside Saudi Arabia.

Security institutions are focused on protecting airports, energy infrastructure and population centers, while religious authorities are emphasizing civilian protection and the sanctity of Makkah and Madinah.

For the Council of Senior Scholars, alleged attempts to threaten the holy cities elevate the issue beyond national security alone because of the global religious importance of the sites.

The Saudi scholars condemn Houthi attacks statement is therefore both a religious denunciation and an expression of support for Saudi efforts to protect civilians and holy places.

As regional tensions continue, Makkah and Madinah are likely to remain among the most sensitive elements of the wider security discussion because of their importance to Muslims around the world.

The condemnation comes days after the UN backed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defense following deadly attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Source: Saudi Press Agency — official Council of Senior Scholars statement
Read the SPA statement

Arab News — original report
Saudi scholars’ council condemns Houthi attacks