Pakistan condemns Houthi attacks as 'grave violation' after missile debris falls in Makkah and Madina regions

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday 26 October 2026 condemned the Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia as a "grave violation" of the kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity, after Saudi Civil Defence said debris from intercepted missiles fell in the Makkah and Madina regions, Dawn reported. On the same day Egypt's parliament authorised President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to send military support to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh asks for it.

What happened on Saturday

The Houthis said they launched attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports on Saturday 24 October. Their spokesperson Yahya Saree listed the targets as:

• King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
• an Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh refinery
• crude pumping stations and the East-West Pipeline
• King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, and an airport in Najran
• an airbase in Khamis Mushait

The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Yanbu and Taif. Saudi Civil Defence said fragments fell in parts of the Makkah and Madina regions, including Wadi al-Mughammas in Makkah, and in Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh. The Houthis denied aiming at Makkah and Madina and said they targeted "Saudi oil facilities and military bases". No casualty figures had been given for these strikes.

What Pakistan said

The Foreign Office statement:

• reiterated Pakistan's "unwavering solidarity" with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to the Makkah Alliance, the defence pact Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed in August;
• pledged support for the kingdom's security, stability and defence, including protection of the Two Holy Mosques;
• commended the "vigilance and efficiency" of Saudi air defence forces.

The Makkah-based Muslim World League also condemned the attacks on Sunday.

Egypt steps closer

Egypt's House of Representatives approved a measure letting President Sisi act in support of Saudi Arabia, state newspaper Al-Ahram said, according to Dawn. Sisi has said any help would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders, not attacking Yemen. Egypt is not a member of the Makkah pact; Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said membership is "under serious consideration".

Diplomacy in Tehran

The condemnation came as Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkiye's intelligence chief met Iran's leaders in Tehran in a bid to calm the region; see our report on the Tehran talks.

What it means for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia

Pakistanis working in the kingdom and Umrah travellers are most exposed. Anyone travelling should check their airline before leaving home, since earlier Houthi strikes on Riyadh's airport disrupted flights (our earlier report). For money sent home, the riyal rate page and the currency converter show today's rate.