Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the United Nations that a Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross a 'red line', Al Jazeera reported, as army chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met to discuss a Mecca pact and closer military ties.
Key facts
- Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks in a speech at the United Nations, according to Al Jazeera.
- He said a Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross a 'red line'.
- Army chiefs from Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara met to discuss a Mecca pact.
- The talks also covered closer military ties between the three countries.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that any Houthi attack on the Islamic holy cities of Mecca or Medina would cross a ‘red line’, according to Al Jazeera. He delivered the remarks in a speech at the United Nations.
The statement was made against the backdrop of a meeting between the army chiefs of Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara, who gathered to discuss a Mecca pact and closer military ties, Al Jazeera reported.
Further details of the proposed Mecca pact, the substance of Sharif’s remarks and any response from the Houthis or Saudi Arabia were not available in the reporting reviewed.
Why it matters
Statements about the security of Islam's holiest cities carry significant weight across the Muslim world. Parallel talks among Pakistani, Saudi and Turkish military leaders, as reported by Al Jazeera, point to discussion of closer defence cooperation, though the scope of any agreement remains unclear.
Frequently asked questions
What did Pakistan's Prime Minister say at the UN?
According to Al Jazeera, Shehbaz Sharif said that a Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross a 'red line'.
Which countries' army chiefs met to discuss the Mecca pact?
Al Jazeera reported that the army chiefs of Pakistan (Islamabad), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and Turkey (Ankara) met to discuss a Mecca pact and closer military ties.
Why are Mecca and Medina significant?
Mecca and Medina are the two holiest cities in Islam, which is why threats against them are treated with particular seriousness by regional leaders.