PUTRAJAYA Sept 16, 2026 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed grave concern on Wednesday over reports that a drone was intercepted near Makkah, Islam’s holiest city, describing any threat to its safety and sanctity as “wholly unacceptable.”
In a statement posted on X, Anwar praised Saudi Arabia’s “swift action” to protect residents and pilgrims. He said the incident highlighted the urgent need to prevent further escalation in the region and called for an immediate end to attacks on civilian sites and any actions that could endanger holy places. “We urge the relevant parties to exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue without delay,” he wrote.
The statement followed an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition that Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah at about 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday, September 15, before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki attributed the drone to Yemen’s Houthi group and called it the second attempt to target Makkah after a 2017 ballistic missile incident. He described the security of the Two Holy Mosques as a “red line” and warned of deterrent measures.
Houthi officials denied targeting the holy city, calling the allegation “an outright lie.”
The incident drew wider condemnation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it a “dastardly and heinous” act and reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned what it described as “heinous attacks” intended to terrorize civilians and violate the sanctity of holy sites.
The interception occurred amid a recent uptick in Houthi attacks on southern Saudi cities. No casualties or damage were reported from the drone near Makkah itself. Anwar’s comments reflect Malaysia’s position as a Muslim-majority nation emphasizing the protection of Islamic holy sites while advocating de-escalation through dialogue.
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