PM Shehbaz Sharif Condemns Attempted Drone Attack Near Mecca

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned an attempted drone attack near Mecca and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern after Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening. Saudi authorities said the drone was launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement and was destroyed before it entered the restricted airspace over the holy city.

The prime minister said the Pakistani people were saddened and concerned by what Saudi authorities described as an attempt to target the holy city. He said the security and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques remain deeply important to Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif also praised the Saudi armed forces for their response. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia Says Drone Was Intercepted

Saudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the drone was intercepted at about 6:50pm local time south of Mecca. He said it was destroyed before reaching the city’s prohibited airspace.

Al-Maliki described the security of the Two Holy Mosques as a red line and said Saudi Arabia would take measures to protect the sites and pilgrims.

The incident came after Saudi Arabia issued security alerts in Mecca, Jeddah and other areas following a series of attacks attributed to the Houthis.

The Houthis, however, denied targeting Mecca. A Houthi official described the Saudi allegation as false and rejected claims that the group had targeted the holy city.

Saudi authorities have described the incident as the second known attempt to target Mecca. The previous incident occurred on July 27, 2017, when a ballistic missile was intercepted while heading toward the holy city.