Religious leaders condemn Houthi attacks, pledge support for Saudi Arabia

Speaking to Arab News after the conference, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said Islamabad was prepared to fulfill its commitments under its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. “The Government of Pakistan has already made an agreement with the Kingdom...

We are already prepared for this,” he said, adding that Islamabad stood by the commitments made under the pact and its implementation was already taking place. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis south of Makkah on Tuesday evening before it could enter the airspace over Islam’s holiest city.

A Saudi-led coalition in the region called the security of Makkah and other holy sites a “red line,” while the Houthis denied attempting to target the city or any other religious sites.

Speakers at the conference said the entire Pakistani nation stood behind Saudi Arabia and would fully support the Kingdom in protecting its territory and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites. Yousuf also condemned Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia.

“Drone and missile attacks have been recently initiated [against the Kingdom] and we strongly condemn them,” he said.

“The government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan will fully support their brotherly country Saudi Arabia and the defense of Harmain Sharifain..., providing full support for their defense.”Senator Abdul Karim, who hosted the conference, said the gathering had unanimously condemned the attacks and called for a joint response from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

The conference came amid a sharp escalation in fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have intensified drone and missile attacks on Saudi territory in recent weeks. Pakistan has repeatedly condemned the attacks and pledged support for the Kingdom.