Pakistan condemns 'heinous' attempted drone attack near Mecca

Pakistan's prime minister on Wednesday condemned an attempted drone attack near the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia and called for dialogue.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah," Sharif Shehbaz said in a post on US social media company X.

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group near Mecca, the Saudi-led coalition said early Wednesday, while the Houthis denied responsibility for the launch.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted around 6.50 pm local time (1550GMT) Tuesday before entering restricted airspace, with its wreckage falling south of the city.

Sharif reiterated his call for "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," he added.

He hailed the Saudi armed forces for their "extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism," and a "swift and heroic action."

"Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defense of its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain (cities of Mecca and Medina) - a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart," he added.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year inked a mutual defense agreement followed by a trilateral Mecca defense pact with Türkiye this August.