Pakistan has condemned the reported Houthi attack on a civilian power facility supplying electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque and reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia.
RIYADH/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned an attack attributed to Yemen’s Houthi forces on the Taibah power distribution station in Madinah, describing it as a “grave provocation” and calling for an immediate and unconditional end to such actions.
The Foreign Office said the Sept. 29 attack targeted civilian infrastructure supplying electricity to the Holy Prophet’s Mosque. It said the incident was a matter of “deep concern and anguish” for millions of Muslims worldwide and stressed that the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims must be respected under all circumstances.
Pakistan also reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed full support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. The Foreign Office said Islamabad stood with Saudi Arabia in its efforts to safeguard the Two Holy Mosques, protect its people and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The statement came after the Saudi-led coalition said the Taibah facility had been attacked by the Houthis earlier in the week. According to the coalition, the strike damaged a transformer and put it out of service but did not disrupt the wider electricity network. The coalition said an investigation and examination of drone wreckage had confirmed Houthi involvement.
The Houthis rejected the allegation. A Houthi military source quoted by the group’s Saba news agency described the accusation as a “lie” and said it was intended to divert attention from Saudi Arabia’s earlier allegation that the group had attempted to target Makkah.
Military leaders discuss Saudi security
The latest Pakistani statement follows a Sept. 26 meeting in Riyadh involving Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of general staff of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The military leaders reviewed security threats facing Saudi Arabia and discussed stronger intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration. They also condemned attacks targeting Makkah and civilian and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, while expressing their commitment to translating the defence agreement into practical military cooperation.
Saudi Arabia has also reported other recent incidents involving Houthi missiles and drones, including the interception of a drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah or other Islamic holy sites.
The latest developments come amid a broader escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Reuters reported that the renewed fighting represents the most serious escalation since a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted cross-border attacks. Recent clashes have also involved reported Saudi airstrikes in Yemen and Houthi attacks involving missiles and drones.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would continue efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
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