Sharif calls Houthi threats to Mecca a 'red line' as allies meet in Riyadh
Pakistan's PM condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UN as Pakistani, Saudi and Turkish army chiefs met to advance their new Mecca defence pact.
What to know
- Pakistan's PM declared any Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina a 'red line', reflecting deepening ties between Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara under last month's Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
- The declaration coincided with a Riyadh meeting of Pakistani, Saudi and Turkish army chiefs to coordinate intelligence and military cooperation.
- It remains unclear what concrete military support, if any, Pakistan and Turkiye would provide Saudi Arabia beyond the pact's mutual-defence language.
- Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have escalated since July, including an alleged drone strike toward Mecca and intercepted ballistic missiles, which the Houthis dispute.
“We once again condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the recent deplorable attacks by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan · Al-Monitor ↗ · Sep 24
Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister of PakistanHouthis Yemeni armed group backed by Iran
Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of TurkiyeSaudi Arabia Target of Houthi attacks, defence pact partner
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesvideosposts
-
1
Sharif tells UN that attacks on Mecca are a 'red line'
Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as 'deplorable' and said any threat to the sanctity of Mecca and Medina must never be crossed.
“Any threat to safety and sanctity... is a red line that must never be crossed. No Muslim can even dare to think of committing such a heinous (act).”
— Shehbaz Sharif -
5 outlets first by Middle East Eye, 23h ago · also The Times of India, Al Jazeera, The Hindu, Al-Monitor · read ↗
-
first by Al Jazeera, 22h ago
-
G
⚡ NEWS Pakistan Condemns Houthi Threats to Saudi Holy Sites Pakistan's Prime Minister condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia during UNGA 81, labeling threats to holy sites a 'red line.' As a signatory to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Pakistan's stance highlights regional diplomatic pressure on... 📰 https://www…
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
-
G
🟠 UPDATE Pakistan Condemns Houthi Threats to Saudi Holy Sites Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the 'red line' stance at the UN. Additionally, army chiefs from Islamabad, Riyadh, and Ankara met to discuss a 'Mecca pact' aimed at strengthening military ties. 📰 https://www. aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/25/h…
-
-
background
Pakistan, Saudi and Turkish army chiefs meet in Riyadh — Military chiefs of the three countries met in Riyadh to discuss enhancing intelligence sharing and military coordination and to turn Mecca Agreement commitments into effective cooperation, according to the Pakistani military.
-
background
Erdogan says Turkiye could offer Saudi Arabia military support — In a written interview with Newsweek, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said support for Saudi Arabia could include 'intelligence, logistics or ammunition, with more extensive military assistance possible depending on the scale of the threat'.
-
background
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi ballistic missiles — Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday after issuing warnings for several regions including Mecca.
-
background
Houthis accused of targeting Mecca with drone for first time since 2017 — Riyadh accused the Houthis of aiming a drone at Mecca, which was downed; the Houthis denied the accusation, later calling it a 'heinous lie'.
-
background
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye sign Mecca defence pact — The three countries signed a trilateral defence agreement, formally the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
-
background
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia escalate, ending years-long truce — Renewed hostilities beginning in July shattered a years-long truce and embroiled Yemen further in the wider Middle East war, with the Houthis stepping up missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia.
