September 16, 2026 | 05:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned an attempted drone attack near the holy Muslim city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and called for dialogue among the warring parties.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah," said Sharif in a post on X on Wednesday, as quoted by ANTARA.
Sharif reiterated his call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and step back from the brink of further escalation. "Our region has already suffered far too much from conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace," he added.
He commended the Saudi armed forces for their precision, courage, and exceptional professionalism, as well as their swift and heroic actions.
"Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain (cities of Mecca and Medina) - a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart," he added.
The Saudi-led coalition reported early Wednesday that Saudi air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi group from Yemen near Mecca. Meanwhile, the Houthi group denied responsibility for the launch.
Coalition spokesman Al-Malki said the drone was intercepted around 18:50 local time on Tuesday before entering restricted airspace, with its debris falling south of the city.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement last year, followed by the trilateral Makkah defense pact with Turkey in August.
Read: Saudi Arabia Says Houthi Target Mecca, Warns of 'Red Line'
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