Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Pakistan Warns Houthi Attacks on Mecca Are Red Line
Pakistan’s prime minister spoke at the United Nations about attacks linked to the Houthis.
He said Mecca, a very important holy city for Muslims, must be protected.
He called any future attack on Mecca a red line for Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia said a Houthi drone had targeted Mecca, but the Houthis denied doing this.
Saudi Arabia also said it stopped several Houthi missiles.
The fighting has increased since a long truce ended in July.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are planning talks between their military leaders.
The countries want to discuss how to support Saudi Arabia, although Pakistan and Turkey have not yet responded militarily to the attacks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the United Nations.
Sharif said any further threat to Mecca’s safety and sanctity would be a red line for Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca with a drone, but the Houthis denied the allegation.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted additional Houthi ballistic missiles after warnings were issued for several regions.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are preparing talks among their military chiefs under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned attacks attributed to the Houthis; Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are involved in planned security talks.
- What
- Sharif warned that further attacks on Mecca would cross a red line for Pakistan.
- When
- Sharif issued the warning on Friday, September 25; the military chiefs’ meeting is being arranged after discussions on Thursday.
- Where
- The warning was delivered at the United Nations in New York; the alleged attacks involved Saudi Arabia and Mecca.
- Why
- The warning followed increased Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s accusation that Mecca had been targeted.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s Position
Houthi Position
Alleged attack on Mecca
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s Position
Saudi Arabia said the Houthis targeted Mecca with a drone, and Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged attack as a serious threat to the holy city.
Houthi Position
The Houthis denied Saudi Arabia’s accusation that they targeted Mecca.
Response to the attacks
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s Position
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are preparing military-level talks on supporting Saudi Arabia under their mutual-defence agreement.
Houthi Position
The article does not provide a detailed Houthi response to the planned talks, but reports that the Houthis continued attacks that Saudi Arabia said it intercepted.
- Speaker
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Venue
- United Nations gathering of world leaders in New York
- Red line
- Any further threat to the safety and sanctity of Mecca
- Saudi accusation
- Saudi Arabia said the Houthis targeted Mecca with an intercepted drone
- Houthi response
- The Houthis denied targeting Mecca
- Planned talks
- Military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are expected to discuss support for Saudi Arabia
- Defence agreement
- The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on August 7, 2026