Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the "attempted attack on Mecca."
In a statement on Wednesday, he emphasized that Pakistan stands firmly and in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia, following an attempt by Houthi militias to target the southern region of Mecca.
Furthermore, Sharif reaffirmed his country's support for Saudi Arabia in its defense of the security and sanctity of the holy mosques.
"An Unforgivable Act"
He described the attempt as a "disgraceful, condemnable, and unforgivable act."
He also praised "the exceptional vigilance, courage, and professionalism demonstrated by the Saudi Royal Armed Forces with their swift and heroic response."
The Pakistani Prime Minister concluded by reiterating his call for maximum restraint and urged stepping back from the brink of further escalation, noting that "the region has already suffered more than enough from conflicts."
This condemnation came after the Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen announced that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis south of Mecca on Tuesday before it entered the restricted airspace. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki stated, "The security of the holy mosques and their visitors is a red line."
He also stressed that "the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will not hesitate to take necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and its hostile and terrorist behavior."
Saudi Arabia had issued security warnings affecting some areas, including Mecca and other cities, following a week of attacks and attempts by Iran-aligned fighters, amid the escalating Middle Eastern conflict between Iran and the United States.