Key facts
- Pakistan's defense minister said the time has come to implement the Mecca defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- Pakistan is committed to defending Saudi Arabia and its holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
- Saudi Arabia reported one person killed and two injured in Taif after intercepting a Houthi-launched drone.
- This is the first death announced in Saudi Arabia this month related to Houthi attacks.
- Pakistan conveyed a Saudi message to Iran concerning the Houthi attacks.
- Houthi officials denied targeting holy cities, stating operations target Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
Saudi Arabia is seeking international assistance to bolster its missile defense systems, as the kingdom faces dwindling supplies amid ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels. The plea underscores concerns about the sustained threat from Houthi attacks and the strain on existing defensive capabilities.
On Thursday, Saudi civil defense announced that one Yemeni resident was killed and a Saudi woman and a Pakistani resident were injured in the southwestern governorate of Taif during the interception of a drone launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. This marks the first death announced by Saudi Arabia this month related to the intensified Houthi assaults.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated in an interview with Geo News that Pakistan is ready to implement its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, known as the Mecca pact, and affirmed Islamabad's commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia and its holy sites. He added that Pakistan had conveyed Saudi Arabia's message to Iran regarding the Houthi attacks.
China has meanwhile privately pressed Iran to use its influence with the Houthis after Saudi Arabia appealed to Beijing over the attacks, Reuters reported, citing three Iranian sources. Beijing has publicly called for restraint, dialogue and the restoration of safe navigation, but privately asked Tehran to help prevent further disruption to energy routes crucial to China.