Pakistan has strongly condemned Houthi ballistic missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Makkah and Madinah regions, reaffirming what it called its unwavering solidarity with the kingdom and its firm commitment to their joint defence pact. The statement, issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Monday, described the attacks of 24 October 2026 as reprehensible and a grave violation of Saudi sovereignty.
FAKTA
- What happened: Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned Houthi ballistic missile attacks of 24 October 2026 on Saudi Arabia’s Makkah and Madinah regions.
- Pakistan’s position: Unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and firm commitment to the Makkah Alliance, including support for the security, stability and defence of the kingdom and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques.
- Saudi account: Saudi air defences intercepted missiles aimed at the two regions, with debris reported in Wadi Al-Mughammas, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
- Other reactions: The Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general also condemned the attacks, while the Houthis denied targeting the holy cities.
Pakistan’s condemnation of the Houthi attacks
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the attacks constituted a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said strikes near Islam’s holiest sites showed disregard for their sanctity and endangered civilians. Pakistan, he added, reaffirms its steadfast support for Saudi Arabia’s security, stability and defence against external aggression, and it praised the vigilance and effectiveness of Saudi air defence forces in countering the attacks.
The statement also underlined Pakistan’s commitment to the Makkah Alliance, the defence arrangement between the two countries, and to the protection of the Two Holy Mosques. Islamabad has repeatedly condemned attacks on Saudi territory in recent months, and officials have stressed that the safety of civilians and the sanctity of the holy sites must be respected by all sides.
The Saudi account and the Houthi denial
According to reports, Saudi defences intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at the Makkah and Madinah regions on Saturday, and the Saudi-led coalition later struck missile facilities inside Yemen. The attacks came amid a wider escalation, with Saudi Arabia facing repeated missile and drone fire over several days.
The Houthis denied that Makkah and Madinah were the targets, calling the allegation untrue and saying their operations were directed at Saudi oil facilities and military installations. The conflicting accounts underline how sharply the two sides differ over the nature and targets of the strikes, even as regional governments continue to condemn attacks that risk civilian lives.
Why the reaction matters
The condemnation adds to a wave of regional backing for Riyadh. Egypt’s parliament recently approved military support for Saudi Arabia, a step covered earlier on Watan News, and Gulf officials have warned that attacks near the holy sites provoke Muslims worldwide. For Pakistan, the statement also reaffirms a long-standing partnership with the kingdom at a moment of rising tension across the region. Read the earlier Watan News report on the Houthi attacks on Saudi targets here.
