OMM Redaksiyası
Pakistan has strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, stressing that increased military activity around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait poses serious risks to regional stability, global shipping and energy security.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, addressed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Yemen on Sept. 15. He condemned the attacks “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
Islamabad also recognized Saudi Arabia’s right, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, to take necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and national facilities.
Pakistan described the expansion of Houthi attacks around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as a “serious escalation.” It said threats against commercial vessels could affect freedom of navigation, international trade, global supply chains and energy security.
The UN Security Council reconvened less than a week after its previous emergency meeting. The organization said fighting had intensified along Yemen’s western coast, the Houthis had advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and several islands in the southern Red Sea had reportedly been seized.
A significant share of international trade and energy shipments passes through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Pakistan said the relative calm that had prevailed in Yemen since 2022 had been disrupted, increasing the risk of a full-scale conflict resuming. Islamabad called for urgent de-escalation, dialogue and the restoration, with UN support, of an inclusive, Yemen-led political process.
The latest tensions followed Houthi attacks on several areas in southern Saudi Arabia on Sept. 8. According to Saudi officials, 73 civilians were injured in attacks targeting Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 100,000 people have been displaced as fighting has intensified again in Yemen.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately condemned an attempted drone attack on a holy site in Mecca, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. He said dialogue and diplomacy were the sustainable path to peace.
Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told “Al Arabiya English” that a trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was defensive in nature and aimed at collective deterrence.
According to him, the agreement provides that an attack on any one member would be considered an attack on all three countries. Details on how the defense commitments would be implemented have been kept confidential. The agreement was signed on Aug. 7, and Pakistan will lead its secretariat during the first three years.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said expanding the grouping was not currently on the agenda. While continuing to support Saudi Arabia, Islamabad is calling for a diplomatic solution in Yemen.
