Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia at UN and condemns Houthi attacks

Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed its support to Saudi Arabia at a UN emergency briefing on the situation in the Middle East on Yemen.

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations wrote in a post on X that Ambassador Usman Jadoon noted Islamabad’s condemnation of Houthi ballistic missile attacks against Saudi Arabia. “We express our full solidarity with the fraternal kingdom and reaffirm our steadfast support for its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

Further, he noted: “We also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.” The ambassador called on concerned parties “to resolve differences through dialogue, diplomacy and a firm commitment to de-escalation,” especially at “a time when the region continues to face heightened tensions and multiple interconnected crises.”

According to Jadoon, “A comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable peace can only be achieved through a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process, facilitated by the UN, that addresses the legitimate aspirations and concerns of all Yemenis.” He cited the prisoner exchange agreement earlier this year as showing that “dialogue can produce tangible results even in a difficult environment”.

All parties, the ambassador noted, “should build on this momentum and continue to engage constructively towards a lasting nationwide ceasefire and an inclusive political solution”.

He added that the people of Yemen have endured years of conflict, displacement, economic hardship, food insecurity and the breakdown of essential services. “Any further escalation risks undermining the prospects for peace and exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population,” Jadoon said.

Read: Saudi-led coalition promises ‘unprecedented’ strength against Houthi threats

He reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the continued arbitrary detention of UN, humanitarian and diplomatic staff, as well as the illegal seizure of UN premises and assets by the Houthis. “These actions violate international law and undermine humanitarian work,” the ambassador said, adding that Islamabad calls for the “immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel and for full respect of the privileges and immunities of UN personnel, facilities and assets”.

Furthermore, Jadoon reaffirmed Islamabad’s firm commitment to promote dialogue, diplomacy and regional de-escalation, encourage all parties concerned to maintain channels of communication, avoid actions that may increase tensions and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

“Pakistan will continue to support all sincere efforts to promote peace, stability and mutual understanding in the region,” the ambassador concluded.

The remarks came as the Houthi movement, which controls northern Yemen, yesterday accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against Sanaa’s international airport. The move promised retaliation and tested a ceasefire in the long-running conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the attacks “open aggression” and said they had ended a period of de-escalation. He stated that Saudi Arabia would bear the consequences and that the attack would not go unanswered.

Read more: Yemen’s Houthi leader says the group is ready for escalation

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted ballistic missiles fired at the country’s south by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

The General Aviation Authority of Yemen’s Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government ordered the closure of all airports nationwide, before announcing hours later that they had reopened. The government’s defense ministry said the runway at Sanaa’s international airport had been targeted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, and an armed forces spokesman later said the plane had landed at Houthi-controlled Hodeidah airport.

Another minister said the Houthis detained another plane belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross at Sanaa airport.