The General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars has condemned the terrorist Houthi group's attempt to target the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, saying in a statement on Wednesday that it amounts to terrorism "by any measure".

The statement, which refers to the group as the "terrorist Houthi militia", also cited its targeting of civilians and civilian facilities in Yemen, the insecurity and division it has caused and its aggression against peaceful people. It said the militia is no less dangerous than extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, and goes beyond them in spreading corruption and attacking Muslims.

Targeting people heading to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah was described as an even graver sin. According to the secretariat, God foiled the plot, aided by the vigilance of Saudi air defences and the competence of the Saudi Armed Forces.

The scholars said the militia's crimes violated the sanctity of protected lives, property, and security and stability, and sought to violate Muslim holy sites, citing verse 33 of Surat Al-Ma'idah and verse 205 of Surat Al-Baqarah.

The secretariat called on all Muslims to reject the militia's actions and close ranks against anyone who attacks their holy places, citing verse 2 of Surat Al-Ma'idah and verse 71 of Surat At-Tawbah.