Bangladesh, Nov. 12 -- The attempted missile strikes toward Makkah and Madinah are not merely another episode in the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemens Houthi movement. They raise a far more serious question: how can international law hold an armed group accountable when its military operations place Islams holiest cities at foreseeable risk? The interception of two ballistic missiles on October 24, 2026, followed by reports of falling debris in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh, underscores the gravity of the threat. A subsequent drone interception near Makkah further heightened concerns over the security of the holy cities.

The Houthis have denied deliberately targeting the sacred cities, insisting that their operations ...