ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack on the holy city of Makkah as an “outrageous act,” saying Pakistanis were deeply perturbed by the incident and praising Saudi forces for intercepting the aircraft.
The statement came following Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, while the Saudi-led coalition said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line,” vowing that the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain – a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart,” said PM Shehbaz in a statement on X.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Praised the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for what he described as their vigilance, courage and professionalism in responding to the attempted attack.
Saudi Arabia said its air defenses destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis south of Makkah on Tuesday evening before it could enter restricted airspace over Islam’s holiest city. A Saudi-led coalition in the region called the security of Makkah and other holy sites a “red line,” while the Houthis denied targeting the city or other religious sites.
Makkah is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, toward which Muslims around the world pray, and is the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s five pillars.
PM Shehbaz also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, saying the region had already suffered extensively from conflict.
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