Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Maldives have expressed support for Saudi Arabia and condemned Houthi attacks as strikes targeting the country intensify. In separate statements issued on Wednesday, 16 September, the three countries reaffirmed their support for Saudi Arabia’s security and stressed the need to protect its holy sites.
The reactions came amid growing concern over attacks by Yemen-based Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia. The latest statements from the three Muslim-majority countries focused on preventing further escalation and safeguarding places of religious significance.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed the situation in a post on X, calling for dialogue among the parties concerned. He also urged restraint and advised against taking any action that could further heighten tensions in the Middle East. His remarks reflected concern that continued military escalation could make an already fragile regional security situation more difficult to manage.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also voiced strong opposition to actions that could threaten Saudi Arabia’s religiously significant locations. In a post on X, he said any activity that creates a threat to the security and sanctity of Islam’s holiest city is completely unacceptable. He called for the attacks to stop immediately in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Bangladesh also reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia. In a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Dhaka stressed the importance of ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s holy sites are always fully respected, protected and kept secure.
The issue carries particular significance for the Muslim world because Saudi Arabia is home to Makkah and Madinah, the two most sacred cities in Islam. Makkah hosts the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, towards which Muslims around the world turn during daily prayers, while Madinah is home to the Prophet’s Mosque. Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year for Hajj and Umrah, making the security of these locations a matter of wider international concern.
The three countries’ statements therefore went beyond a general expression of support for Saudi Arabia’s security. They also highlighted the need to prevent threats to places regarded as sacred by Muslims worldwide.
The Houthi movement, which is based in Yemen, has been involved in the wider regional conflict and has previously carried out attacks targeting Saudi territory. Saudi Arabia has remained closely involved in efforts concerning the Yemen conflict, while tensions involving the Houthis have also formed part of the broader security challenges facing the Middle East.
Against this backdrop, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Maldives have called for restraint and the protection of Saudi Arabia’s security and religious sites. Malaysia has particularly emphasised dialogue and avoiding steps that could worsen regional tensions, while the Maldives has called for an immediate halt to attacks that could threaten the sanctity of Islam’s holiest city. Bangladesh, meanwhile, has reaffirmed the need to fully respect and safeguard Saudi Arabia’s holy places.
