Pakistan's Prime Minister, Sheikh Sharifi, emphasized in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that any attack on the holy city of Mecca is considered a red line for the Islamabad government. These remarks came in the wake of recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly the attempt to attack Mecca, which has raised deep concerns among Islamic countries.
Condemnation of Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Sheikh Sharifi stated at this global summit: "We once again strongly condemn the unacceptable Houthi attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." He added that the attempt to attack Mecca, recognized as one of the holiest places in Islam, has sparked outrage among Muslims worldwide. The Prime Minister of Pakistan asserted: "Any threat to the security and sanctity of this holy place is a red line that must never be crossed. No Muslim can even think of committing such a heinous act."
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Regional Tensions and Consequences
These statements were made after Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca for the first time since 2017. In this regard, Riyadh announced that it had intercepted a Houthi drone heading towards Mecca. The Houthis have denied these accusations, deeming them baseless. Additionally, on Thursday, Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles during launch and issued warnings to several areas, including Mecca.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have significantly increased since July, when tensions flared again and a years-long ceasefire in Yemen was broken. These developments have led to further tensions in the region and deeper impacts on the security and stability of the Middle East.
Despite its close ties with Iran, which supports the Houthis, Pakistan is strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia and recently signed a defense agreement with this country and Turkey. This move reflects Islamabad's commitment to maintaining security and stability in the region and supporting its allies against common threats.
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