Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abdulwahid Abu Ras said on Wednesday that parties maintaining relations with the Zionist entity and figures linked to international corruption are also responsible for targeting Islamic holy sites.

In a press statement, Abu Ras said those who maintain such relations are directly involved in undermining Islamic sanctities, citing as an example that the Kaaba’s ceremonial covering was presented to Jeffrey Epstein.

He said opening the holy cities to entertainment events and immoral activities, along with the presence of Zionists and Saudi Arabia’s declared and undeclared relations with the Zionist entity, represented a direct threat to Mecca, Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic holy sites.

Abu Ras reaffirmed the Yemeni people’s steadfast position in defending Islamic sanctities, pointing to large public demonstrations held across Yemen in opposition to any offense against the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, Mecca or Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“One of our problems with the Saudi regime is its desecration of Islamic holy sites and its support for the enemies of the nation,” Abu Ras said.

He added that no people had shown greater concern over the desecration of Islamic holy sites than the Yemeni people.

Abu Ras also called on Israeli advocates to seek “another pretext” for targeting Yemenis, saying allegations concerning threats to Islamic holy sites contradicted current positions and historical evidence.

The remarks come amid renewed exchanges between Sana'a and Riyadh over allegations concerning threats to Mecca and other Islamic holy sites. Yemeni officials have repeatedly rejected such allegations, while accusing Saudi Arabia of using the sanctity of the holy sites for political purposes.