Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned what Saudi Arabia described as an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca, calling it “dastardly and heinous”.
Sharif did not name
Yemen’s Houthis in his statement, even as Saudi authorities have blamed the Iran-aligned group for the incident. The Houthis, however, have denied targeting Mecca.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The people of Pakistan are saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act,” he said.
“There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act. We salute the extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, for their swift and heroic action,” Sharif said.
Also Read: Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Fighter Jet Shot Down Hours After Drone Intercepted Near Mecca
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drone Near Mecca
The statement comes after Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, before it could enter the restricted airspace over the holy city, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line” and warned that necessary deterrent measures would be taken.
Saudi Arabia has described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following what the coalition said was a ballistic missile launch towards the holy city in July 2017.
The Houthis have rejected the allegation, with a Houthi spokesperson calling claims that the group targeted Mecca a “worn-out lie”.
Also Read: Mecca Sounds First-Ever Missile Alert, Houthis Deny Attack; US Issues Travel Advisory For Saudi Arabia
Pakistan’s Response Under Defence Pact
The episode has also brought attention to Pakistan’s recently signed defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. Islamabad had earlier said that no military response to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia was under discussion, while indicating that it would act under the agreement if the situation required it.
“There is no such thing under discussion right now … When time comes (we) will act under the agreement,” Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said during a weekly briefing.
In his message, PM Sharif also urged all sides to avoid further escalation, saying the region had already endured extensive conflict. He stressed that diplomacy should remain the route towards resolving the crisis and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty.
“I once again call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to step back from the brink of further escalation. Our region has already suffered far too much from conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace,” he said.
“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,” he added.
What Is The Trilateral Defence Agreement?
The trilateral defence agreement, signed last month, provides that an armed attack against any one of the three members would be treated as an attack against all three. The pact has come under scrutiny amid the escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Pakistan has also urged restraint as attacks on Saudi territory have intensified.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for several strikes on Saudi targets in recent days, including an attack on an air base, which the group described as retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
With inputs from Reuters
