THE shocking news of Saudi forces intercepting a ballistic missile fired by Houthi militia from Yemen toward Makkah not only drew our ire but a global condemnation of the provocative act. The missile was destroyed just 65 kilometers away from Makkah and thank God no one was killed and no damage recorded during this cowardly attack. This heinous act was quickly denounced by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Muslim leaders, masses and organizations. They described it as provocation against Muslims and an evidence of refusal of Houthis to comply with the international community's efforts and decisions in trying to end the conflict with Saudi-led military coalition, which is backing Yemen›s pro-government forces in the conflict with Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, while trying to restore the internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The Houthis, who are simply puppets of Iran and a card that Iran is playing to destabilize the region, have crossed a red line when they targeted Makkah, one of the two holy sites in the Kingdom. Makkah is a sacred place for more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. This rebel militia refuses to bring peace in Yemen and insists on acting on its own, while expanding Iran's presence in the Arab world, by doing Iran's dirty work. We should not stand still while Iran applies its plans of expanding its influence in the region. The Saudi-led alliance's strike against the Houthi militia in Yemen is the best reply to Iran's naked ambition and will also tell the Iranians, who harbor hopes of a "Greater Persia", in no uncertain terms that there is no way they will be able to establish a backyard in Yemen. Targeting Makkah will have serious consequences. Now with this firing of the missile toward Makkah, we can see their true intentions. What else can we expect from these outlaws and the source of terror that supports them. Were they given the green light to commit such an act? I will not be surprised if Iran had given them the nod, as Iran's history of explosions and attacks in Makkah is still vivid in the minds of many. All one needs to do is to Google search about their terror acts and the weapon and explosive smuggling in Makkah to understand the sick mentality of the leaders of that nation. Sometimes I question what do they really want? Iran is always mentioned when there is a terrorist attack and they are the ones controlling the Houthi militia and dictating what they should do. That Iran seeks hegemony in the region is evident from their statements. We have seen and heard how their officials have publicly come out saying that they now control four Arab capitals. They have also declared publicly that they are targeting Makkah and Madinah, so their designs are out in the open. It is no more a secret for their masks have dropped. The filthy acts in Iraq and Syria, done at the behest of the source of all terror, and how Iran wants to divide, control and expand in the region at the expense of innocent people does not surprise me if it had given the green light to Houthis to fire rockets at Makkah. It also makes me question, how deep is the hatred of the Iranian regime toward our country? We are used to seeing on TV and reading in the newspapers, news of Zionists desecrating the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest Islamic site, through either their soldiers or armed Zionist settlers. To hear of Houthi militias firing their missile toward Makkah is somehow expected since these people have disregarded their own country and are killing their own people just to please their master on the other side of the Gulf. The group that allows itself to become the dirty hand and a puppet for outside powers should not be respected. True Yemenis will not allow Iran to control them and Houthis, with their rebellious attitude and aggressive actions against their brethren, are writing their own end by their hand for they do not know what fate will befall them when soon Iran will sell out their interest and abandon them while pursuing or protecting their own. The launching of the missile toward Makkah, and the alert interception of the missile by the Saudi forces indicates that the Saudi defense is in capable hands, while also revealing that this is yet another desperate act by the Houthis as they have been suffering losses and are also losing ground in the Yemen conflict. Iran should know that Makkah has been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an many times. In one verse it says, «Verily, the first House of worship appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for all of creation.» In another verse it says, "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks." Another verse in the Qur'an says, "And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]." The Muslim world should unite against the ideological and creed war of Iranians and their puppets in the region. I remember watching an interview by Kuwaiti professor and expert in Iranian affairs, Dr. Abdullah Al-Nafisi, when he said that saving the capital of Yemen from Houthis is to save Makkah and Madinah because if they took control of that capital then the next target would be the two holy cities. Apparently what he said has come true and we see it happening now. This act should not go unpunished and Iran and its puppets should be taken to task. We should have a unified stand against this and we know that we in Saudi Arabia are always able and can protect our country and the holy sites from these attackers. The writer can be reached at [email protected] Twitter: @anajeddawi_eng
