President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas has denounced Yemeni Houthi-Saleh group's attempt to target Makkah city with a ballistic missile.

He described the attack as a violation of the sanctity of Holy City of Makkah, home to the most sacred sites in Islam. He noted such provocative attempt is not only an attack on the Kingdom, but it touches 1.5 billion Muslims around the world who direct their face to the holy city five times a day to observe prayer.

The president reiterated necessity of deterring such criminal acts which were committed by aggressors working for foreign agendas that would harm the Yemeni people. He warned that these foreign-backed groups are driving wedges to divide Arab and Muslim worlds apart by inducing sectarian strife.

The Kingdom, under the leadership of King Salman, Crown Prince and Vice-Crown Prince, has the qualified human forces that can firmly and decisively defend the lands and sacred places, Dr. Assas said, adding the Kingdom can defeat these militias.

In the same context, he urged the Yemeni people to stand united in face of this group's sly scheme targeting Yemen and the whole Arab region.

Also, he urged the international organizations to intervene and play a role to apply the international laws and force the Houthi-Saleh group to give up their arms and abandon powers to the legitimate government in order to keep the Arab country and its people united.

He prayed to Allah to keep Saudi Arabia stable and safe under the wise leadership and to thwart the conspirators.