FO says Oct 24 attacks in vicinity of holy sites ‘blatant disregard of sanctity’, safety of civilians
Police officers stand guard at the main entry gate of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Photo: File
Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned “reprehensible” Houthi ballistic missile attacks on October 24 which targeted the Makkah and Madinah regions of Saudi Arabia, including areas in the vicinity of the holy sites, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement on X, the Foreign Office stated that the attacks constituted “a grave violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” It added that the attacks demonstrated “a blatant disregard for the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites and the safety of civilians.”
On October 24, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence briefly issued alerts warning of potential danger in Taif and Yanbu, as well as the holy city of Makkah and its second-largest city Jeddah. A Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said it destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the group towards Taif and Yanbu, as fighting between the sides continued.
The Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have been trading attacks since the group advanced in September towards territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a shipping chokepoint at the mouth of the Red Sea.
“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the FO said, noting its “firm commitment to the Makkah alliance.”
The statement further reiterated Islamabad’s “steadfast support for the security, stability and defence” of Saudi Arabia, “including the protection of the two holy mosques, against any external aggression or threat.”
“Pakistan also commends the vigilance and efficiency of Saudi air defence forces in countering the attacks,” the FO concluded.
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Pakistan Strongly Condemns Houthi Missile Attacks on Saudi Arabia
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 26, 2026
Earlier this month, the FO strongly condemned an attack by the Houthis on the Taibah power distribution station in Madinah on September 29, saying the “reprehensible attack” on civilian infrastructure supplying electricity to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque was a “grave provocation.”
The FO said the attack was a matter of “deep concern and anguish” for millions of Muslims worldwide, emphasising that the “sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims must be respected under all circumstances.”
Pakistan called for an immediate and unconditional end to reckless actions, saying they also constituted a grave threat to regional peace and security.
Read: Makkah pact ratification completed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia: FO
The condemnations came following the September 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which established a framework for joint defence, and the subsequent trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 involving Turkiye.
According to the Makkah agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three signatory states would be regarded as an attack against all three, establishing a framework for collective deterrence and expanded defence cooperation.
The agreement has since been followed by efforts to translate its commitments into closer military coordination. In September, senior military commanders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met in Riyadh to review the regional security situation and discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination and the integration of defence capabilities.
