Pakistan condemns Houthi attack on Madinah power station, reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia

RIYADH/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned an attack on a civilian power distribution station in Madinah that supplies electricity to Masjid-e-Nabwi, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and calling for an immediate and unconditional end to such actions.

In a statement on X, the Foreign Office said the attack by the Houthi militia on the Taibah power distribution station on September 29 was a “grave provocation” and a source of deep concern for millions of Muslims worldwide. “The sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims must be respected under all circumstances,” the statement said.

Pakistan called for an immediate end to what it described as reckless actions that posed a serious threat to regional peace and security. It reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, and backed the Kingdom’s efforts to safeguard the Two Holy Mosques, protect its people and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Military leaders meet in Riyadh

On September 26, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff and senior Turkish military officials met in Riyadh to discuss security threats facing the Kingdom. The military leaders strongly condemned attacks targeting Makkah and civilian and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, and commended the Saudi armed forces for their vigilance and professionalism in protecting the country’s population and maintaining national security.

The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation among the three countries through enhanced intelligence sharing, closer military coordination and the integration of capabilities to reinforce deterrence and collective defence. Participants highlighted the longstanding relations and mutual trust between their countries and armed forces, describing the meeting as a reflection of their defence partnership, and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement through practical military cooperation, pledging to work collectively to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Foreign Office also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Coalition blames Houthis for Madinah strike

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis accused the group of attacking the Taibah power station on Tuesday, saying the strike damaged a transformer and put it out of service, though it did not disrupt the wider electricity network. The coalition said an investigation, including an examination of drone wreckage, had confirmed Houthi involvement in planning and carrying out the attack, and described it as part of repeated Houthi attempts to target the Two Holy Mosques and “provoke” Muslims worldwide, adding it would continue taking measures to protect the holy sites and pilgrims.

The Houthis rejected the allegation. A military source quoted by the group’s Saba news agency dismissed the claim as a “lie,” saying it was intended to divert attention from Saudi Arabia’s earlier allegation that the group had attempted to target Makkah.

Earlier incidents near Makkah

Saudi Arabia said two weeks earlier that it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the city’s restricted airspace, describing the incident as the group’s second alleged attempt to target the city since 2017. The Houthis denied targeting Makkah or any other Islamic holy site.

The coalition also said it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, giving no immediate details on damage or casualties. Local officials said early on Friday that the Houthis had also targeted the headquarters of the Saudi-led coalition forces command in Aden with several ballistic missiles and drones; there was no immediate comment from the coalition or the Houthis.

Broader escalation with Yemen

Houthi media reported Saudi air strikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the provinces of Saada, Taiz and Amran. A spokesperson for Yemen’s armed forces, aligned with the internationally recognised government, also reported coalition strikes on what he described as “high-value targets” in Sanaa. Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the reported strikes.

The recent escalation is the most serious fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis since a UN-brokered truce largely halted cross-border attacks in 2022. Hostilities resumed this year after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July and began attacking Saudi territory and shipping, while Houthi forces also made major territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes in Yemen and backed government forces fighting to repel the Houthis.