Pakistan PM warns Houthi attacks on holy sites would cross 'red line'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning at the United Nations against potential Houthi strikes on Mecca and Medina, characterizing such an attack as a crossing of critical boundaries in the region. The remarks underscored growing concerns among Muslim-majority nations regarding escalating threats to Saudi Arabia's sacred Islamic sites.

Sharif's statement came as military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey gathered for talks aimed at fortifying defense ties and discussing what officials have termed the "Mecca pact." The high-level meeting reflects intensified coordination among the three nations to address security challenges in the broader Middle East and South Asia region.

The convergence of diplomatic warnings and military consultations signals deepening alarm over Houthi capabilities and intentions. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated drone and missile attacks from the Iranian-backed Yemen-based group in recent years, prompting regional powers to strengthen defensive and deterrent postures.

Pakistan's explicit articulation of red lines regarding the holy cities carries symbolic weight across the Islamic world, given the nation's significant Muslim population and historical role in regional geopolitics. The trilateral military engagement suggests coordinated efforts to prevent escalation while reinforcing deterrence mechanisms against further threats to Saudi territory and sacred Islamic locations.