Pakistan has strongly condemned continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its support for the kingdom’s right to defend its territory, citizens and national assets against threats.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Yemen on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, warned that the escalation had brought the conflict to an “extremely dangerous juncture.”
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, all Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ahmad said.
His remarks came amid renewed hostilities in the region, with Saudi Arabia saying its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city.
Houthi officials have denied targeting Makkah.
Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence
Ambassador Ahmad said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had condemned the attacks during a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stressing that the escalation threatened regional peace and stability and could have serious consequences for the global economy and energy security.
“Pakistan will continue its earnest efforts at the highest levels to help diffuse tensions and advance peace and stability in the region,” the envoy said.
He reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity, adding that Pakistan fully supports the kingdom’s “legitimate right” to take necessary measures to defend itself against threats.
Houthi attacks raise navigation concerns
Ahmad also expressed concern over the expansion of Houthi attacks in and around Bab al-Mandab, a key maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
He said the escalation, combined with continued violations of international law involving commercial shipping, posed a growing threat to freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce.
Houthi drone intercepted near Makkah as Saudi coalition warns holy sites are a red line
According to the Pakistani envoy, attempts to threaten, obstruct or weaponise international waterways could have consequences for global trade, commercial shipping, supply chains and energy security.
He warned that the relative calm that had prevailed in Yemen since 2022 had collapsed, raising the risk of renewed full-scale conflict and further involvement of Yemen in the broader regional confrontation.
“This must be prevented,” Ahmad said.
Pakistan calls for political solution in Yemen
The ambassador also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen, saying continued military escalation was adding to the suffering of the Yemeni people.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the resumption of an inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under UN auspices.
Ahmad said Pakistan would continue supporting efforts focused on de-escalation, dialogue and a comprehensive political settlement aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in Yemen and the wider region.
