Saudi Arabia has intercepted two missiles headed for Makkah, the kingdom announced on Tuesday night.
According to an official statement, the ballistic missiles, reportedly intercepted over Taif, were fired by Yemeni Houthi rebels and were headed for the holy city as well as Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea.
In a tweet, Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington confirmed the reports.
PAKISTAN CONDEMNS:
Meanwhile, Islamabad has condemned the reported firing of ballistic missiles.
The Foreign Office, in a statement, issued its condemnation and also commended Saudi forces for their “vigilant” defence.
“Pakistan condemns the firing of ballistic missiles by Houthis towards Makkah province and commends the vigilant Saudi defence forces for intercepting the missiles,” read the statement.
“Pakistan reaffirms its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterates its support against any threat to the security of the kingdom.”
Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition of Muslim states that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government that was ousted from power by Houthi rebels in late 2014.
The Houthis, on the other hand, denied that their missiles were targeting Makkah, roughly 70 km (40 miles) from Jeddah and 50 km (30 miles) from Taif. The group called the claim “a tactic by Saudi Arabia to rally support for its war”.
