Pakistan Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Backs Riyadh’s Right to Defend Itself
Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations has strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and backed Riyadh’s right to defend its territorial integrity, citizens and national assets.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Aasim Iftikhar Ahmad, warned that the continuation of these attacks would put energy security and international shipping at risk. He said targeting sea lanes and violating international law directly threatens global trade, supply chains and freedom of navigation.
He also expressed concern over the expansion of Houthi attacks to the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the surrounding waters, describing the situation as a serious threat to regional security. According to him, the continuation of this trend could push Yemen toward a wider conflict and intensify regional tensions.
The Pakistani representative said the relative calm in Yemen, which had been achieved since 2022 through extensive efforts, is now at risk of collapse. He called for an immediate de-escalation and the resumption of an inclusive political process led by Yemenis and supervised by the United Nations.
Pakistan said it supports the necessary measures taken by Saudi Arabia to defend its territory and protect its citizens, based on the UN Charter and international law. Islamabad also said it will support sincere efforts for dialogue and for reaching a lasting political solution in Yemen and the region.
This position comes after an escalation in Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi territory. In the latest incident, the Saudi-led coalition said it had shot down a Houthi drone heading toward Mecca’s airspace.
The Saudi coalition described the incident as the second attempt to target Mecca since 2017 and said the security of the holy sites is a red line. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing defence and strategic ties, and the report says these ties have recently been strengthened by the signing of the “Mecca Defence Pact” between Riyadh, Islamabad and Ankara.
