Stories
Sharif Warns Houthi Attack on Mecca is "Red Line" as Saudi Pact Faces Test
- •Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UNGA, stating any threat to Mecca and Medina is a "red line."
- •Sharif denounced recent Houthi attacks, which Riyadh claims targeted Mecca, as "deplorable" and an outrage to Muslims globally, though Houthis deny the accusation.
- •His remarks follow the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, which stipulates an attack on one member is an attack on all.
- •Military chiefs from the three nations met in Riyadh to enhance intelligence sharing and military coordination, affirming commitment to collective defense and pledging effective cooperation.
- •The Mecca Agreement faces its first test, with uncertainty about the extent of support Ankara and Islamabad will provide to Riyadh in its conflict with the Houthis.
Key Questions Answered
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is a trilateral defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, which stipulates that an attack on any member nation will be treated as an attack on all. Pakistan is also a key partner linked to these mutual defence commitments.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Houthi attacks targeting Mecca, warning that any threat to the sanctity of Islam's holy cities crosses a strict red line. While condemning the strikes, Islamabad initially urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.
Pakistan acted as a co-mediator in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran to help end the conflict.
