PM condemns 'heinous' drone attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned a 'dastardly and heinous' attempted Houthi drone attack on Makkah, saying Pakistan stood firmly with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty and the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain. "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain - a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart," said PM Shehbaz in a statement on X. Expressing solidarity with the kingdom, PM Shehbaz said that the people of Pakistan were saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act, adding that, "There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act." The prime minister praised the Saudi forces for their response, saying Pakistan "salute the extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces" for their "swift and heroic action". The premier also called on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. "I once again call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to 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," the prime minister added. The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday condemned the "heinous attacks" carried out against the city of Makkah and the Madinah region, as well as the "ongoing aggression" against Saudi Arabia. According to the OIC, the attacks "instil fear in innocent civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and provoke the sentiments of Muslims around the world". The OIC secretariat also affirmed in its statement that "the acts committed by the Houthi terrorist militias against holy sites, mosques, and civilian infrastructure constitute terrorism that runs counter to Islamic values and to international norms, principles, and law." The secretariat also termed the "violation of the sanctity" of holy sites "an unacceptable and intolerable transgression that requires deterring the perpetrators and blocking the path of anyone who dares to infringe upon these sites". According to the statement, the OIC secretariat expressed its full solidarity with Riyadh and its support for all measures taken by the kingdom to deter the aggressors, preserve the sanctity of holy sites and the lives of Muslims, and protect its security and sovereignty.   Arab League Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Fahmy condemned the continued attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, resulting in injuries and material damage, according to the Saudi Gazette. He reiterated the Arab League's categorical rejection of the attacks and called for their immediate cessation. Fahmy described the attacks as an unacceptable violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability. He further affirmed his full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the measures it had taken to protect its security and sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens. The secretary general emphasised that Saudi Arabia's security was an integral part of Arab national security and stressed that the continued targeting of Arab states heightened tensions, fueled escalation, and threatened regional security and stability, Saudi Gazette reported. Fahmy also called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab states and adherence to international law and the UN Charter to prevent the confrontation from expanding and the region from sliding further into escalation and instability.   Yemen Yemen's Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, terming it a "terrorist attempt" to target the holy city with a drone. The ministry affirmed that "this sinful and cowardly attempt represents a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an assault on the sanctity of the sacred land, the site of revelation and the qibla of Muslims." It added that the attack was also "a provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world". "It comes as a continuation of the militia's hostile approach and its previous attempts to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah," the foreign ministry said. It stressed that the "dangerous escalation, and the attacks that preceded it on cities, civilian sites, and vital installations in the kingdom over the past days," revealed "the extent of the danger posed by this extremist group, amid the continued support of the Iranian regime for it as part of a destructive project seeking to turn Yemen into a tool serving its agenda". Further, the foreign ministry noted the "steadfast solidarity" of the country's leadership, government, and people, with Riyadh. It also reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia's "right to take necessary measures to preserve its sovereignty and protect the Islamic holy sites, and to ensure the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory, in accordance with international law". Yemen's foreign ministry also commended "the efficiency of the Saudi air defences in foiling the attempt", as well as Riyadh's "efforts in caring for the Two Holy Mosques and serving their pilgrims". The ministry stated it held "the terrorist Houthi militia, and the Iranian regime that supports it, fully responsible for these attacks". It called for a "firm Arab, Islamic and international stance to stop them and cut off arms supplies to the militia, enforce relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and support the Yemeni government in restoring state institutions and extending its authority over all its territory".   Qatar Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned and denounced the attack on Makkah with a drone, and affirmed that any attempt to "violate the sanctity of Makkah" constituted a "reprehensible aggressive act and a gravely dangerous transgression of all religious, moral, and humanitarian red lines", further adding that it was a "flagrant provocation of the sentiments" of more than a billion Muslims around the world. The ministry emphasised that the "sanctity of holy sites, their security, and the safety of those heading to them" could not under any circumstances be subject to "targeting, threats, or exploitation" in conflicts, further warning that undertaking actions that exposed Makkah and the holy sites to danger represented a gravely "dangerous escalation" and a disregard for its great religious and spiritual status in the conscience of all Muslims. The statement from the ministry further expressed Qatar's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and its "support for all necessary measures and steps to protect its security and the safety of its territories, Islamic sanctities". The ministry also expressed its complete confidence in the "Kingdom's ability to safeguard the security of the Two Holy Mosques and confront anything that threatens their safety". The ministry renewed Qatar's "firm and categorical rejection" of targeting civilians and holy sites, and called for respecting the sanctity of the sanctities and sparing them the repercussions of conflicts and escalations in the region.   Türkiye Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that attacks on Saudi Arabia from either the south or the north, including attacks by actors based in Iraq, were "unacceptable", during a visit to Damascus. On the long-standing conflict in Yemen and military moves by the Houthi group there, he said: "The Yemen issue has existed for quite some time and has taken various forms. When the situation turns into an effort to encircle (Saudi Arabia) from the north and south, destroy critical infrastructure, and harm not only Saudi Arabia but the region, it is impossible for anyone to remain indifferent." "We are acting in accordance with the spirit of the Makkah Alliance. We have already declared that we stand with the Saudis. We have also conveyed the necessary messages to the other relevant parties. We are acting in solidarity," Fidan stated.   Jordan Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned the "flagrant violation" of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty after the attack. It denounced the "blatant breach of international law" and "unacceptable aggression" which it said "constitutes contempt for the status and sanctity of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and an assault on the feelings of Muslims". The ministry added that its spokesperson, Ambassador Fouad Al Majali, affirmed Jordan's "absolute solidarity" with Saudi Arabia, "and its standing with it in all steps it takes to protect its security and stability and the safety of its citizens and residents".   Bangladesh Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry also condemned the drone attack, reaffirming "its deep respect for the sanctity of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the other Holy Sites in the Kingdom". It also expressed solidarity with Riyadh and its people in protecting the sites. "Bangladesh underscores that the safety and security of the Holy Sites must be fully respected and protected at all times."   Malaysia Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for restraint and dialogue following the attempted attack, warning against further regional escalation. "I view with grave concern reports that a drone was intercepted near Makkah Al-Mukarramah," he said in a statement posted on X. The premier added, "Any attempt to threaten the safety and sanctity of Islam's holiest city would be wholly unacceptable". Expressing Malaysia's "deep appreciation" for the swift action taken by Saudi Arabia to protect the residents and pilgrims in Makkah, Ibrahim noted that the incident highlighted the need to prevent further escalation in the region. He called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian sites and actions that could endanger holy places. "We urge the relevant parties to exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue without delay," he said.