Pakistan warns any further Houthi strikes on Mecca will cross a red line
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UN that additional Houthi attacks on Mecca would be a red line for Pakistan.
At a United Nations gathering of world leaders, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the latest Houthi attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing them as deplorable. He highlighted the attempted drone assault on Mecca al-Mukarramah, saying it has inflamed Muslims globally and that any further threat to the city's safety would be a red line for Pakistan. Although Pakistan keeps diplomatic relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis, it recently signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Riyadh accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca for the first time since 2017, a charge the militants rejected. The incident follows a series of Houthi missile launches intercepted by Saudi forces after warnings were issued for several regions, including Mecca.
Why it matters
Pakistan's warning signals a potential shift in regional security dynamics amid escalating Houthi attacks.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 3 Greece delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, instructed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, contesting Turkish objections to Greek spatial planning frameworks and the creation of two national maritime parks. Athens maintains that international treaties define Aegean sovereignty and that Turkey’s own maritime park declarations overstep its jurisdiction. Both sides exchanged notes reiterating their positions, while Greece pledged to raise any unilateral Turkish actions with European partners. Despite tensions, intelligence chiefs met to keep security cooperation alive, and leaders plan to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 6 Turkey reiterated its long‑standing claims over continental shelves.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 24 US and Iranian negotiators in New York are discussing a step-by-step plan that would see Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the United States ends its economic blockade, though both sides cling to leverage.
- Sep 25 Foreign minister Hakan Fidan announced willingness to meet the kingdom’s technical military needs.
- Sep 25 The UK moved from earlier talks to a formal agreement to provide the Voyager tanker.
- Sep 25 President Donald Trump signaled interest in a deal before the midterm elections.
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