Pakistan condemns Houthi attacks targeting Makkah, Madina as 'grave violation' of Saudi sovereignty

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Pakistan on Monday condemned Houthi missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Makkah and Madina regions, terming them a “grave violation” of the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), these “reprehensible attacks constitute a grave violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and demonstrate a blatant disregard for the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites and the safety of civilians”.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2114650525098819727'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2114650525098819727"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Pakistan reiterated its “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and its firm commitment to the <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2038695">Makkah Alliance</a>, the FO said.</p> <p>It reaffirmed its steadfast support for the kingdom’s security, stability and defence, including the protection of the Two Holy Mosques against any external aggression or threat.</p> <p>Pakistan also commended the “vigilance and efficiency” of Saudi air defence forces in countering the attacks, it said.</p> <p>A day earlier, the Muslim World League also<a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2039698/muslim-world-league-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-makkah-and-madina"> condemned</a> Houthi attacks targeting Makkah and Madina.</p> <p>In a statement, the Makkah-based organisation said the attacks showed “disregard for the danger of frightening the feelings of more than two billion Muslims, and the violation of the values of our true religion, and the most basic principles of humanity”.</p> <p>The condemnations came after the Houthis said they had <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2039726">launched attacks </a>on Saudi oil facilities and airports on Saturday, prompting the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Yemen rebel group to announce that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles as clashes between the sides intensified.</p> <p>Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery, crude oil pumping stations and the East-West Pipeline.</p> <p>He also said the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.</p> <p>The Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Yanbu and Taif.</p> <p>Saudi Civil Defence said debris from <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2039513">intercepted missiles</a> had fallen in the Makkah and Madina regions. It said fragments of intercepted missiles had fallen in Wadi al-Mughammas in Makkah, as well as in areas of Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.</p> <p>The Houthis subsequently <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2039516">denied</a> targeting Makkah and Madina, saying their operations were directed at “Saudi oil facilities and military bases”.</p> <p>The renewed fighting has shattered a UN-brokered truce reached in 2022 that largely halted cross-border attacks between the Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and the Houthis, who control the capital, Sanaa.</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.