{
  "id": 7850601,
  "title": "Asif says Makkah pact may be activated amid Houthi attacks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/asif-says-makkah-pact-may-be-activated-amid-houthi-attacks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T19:04:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Times",
    "slug": "daily-times",
    "url": "https://dailytimes.com.pk/1553976/asif-says-makkah-pact-may-be-activated-amid-houthi-attacks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement may be implemented due to Houthi attacks. This agreement was made in reference to Saudi Arabia's interception of a Houthi drone near Makkah. Asif emphasized that Pakistan is bound by the agreement and will fulfill its obligations, particularly in protecting Saudi Arabia's holy sites.\n\nThe Houthi drone attack on Makkah was widely condemned by various countries and organizations. Qatar and Turkey denounced the attack, with Qatar's foreign ministry stating that the sanctity and security of holy sites must not be targeted or threatened. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arab League also strongly condemned the attack, saying it endangered civilians and violated the sanctity of holy sites.\n\nSaudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed the hostile drone south of Makkah. The Houthis denied targeting the Islamic holy site, but their denial was disputed. The Arab League Secretary General emphasized that the attack reflects a continued escalation by the Houthi militia, targeting Saudi civilian infrastructure and undermining stability.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Islamic world erupts in outrage over Houthi attack targeting Makkah",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/islamic-world-erupts-in-outrage-over-houthi-attack-targeting-makkah",
        "published": "2026-09-16T17:02:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}