ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned a ballistic missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its support for the Kingdom’s security and urging all parties to pursue dialogue to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
The statement came after the Houthis said they had launched missiles toward Saudi Arabia in retaliation for what they described as Saudi-backed strikes on an airport under their control. The attack marked a sharp escalation after a four-year truce had largely kept the Kingdom out of direct confrontation with the Iran-aligned group.
Saudi authorities said they intercepted the missiles before they reached their targets.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the Houthi ballistic missile attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Yemen.
“We express our full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom and reaffirm our steadfast support for its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement in September last year. Under the pact, an armed attack against either country is considered an attack against both, reinforcing their long-standing security partnership.
Addressing the Security Council, Jadoon also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.
He said only a Yemeni-led political process under UN facilitation could deliver a lasting settlement, warning that renewed fighting would deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis after years of war, displacement and economic hardship.
The Pakistani envoy also condemned the Houthis’ continued detention of UN personnel, humanitarian workers and diplomatic staff, as well as the seizure of UN facilities and assets. He called for their immediate and unconditional release.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to promoting dialogue, diplomacy and regional de-escalation,” Jadoon said.
He urged all parties to keep communication channels open, avoid actions that could inflame tensions and resolve disputes peacefully in line with the UN Charter and international law.
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“Pakistan will continue to support all sincere efforts aimed at fostering peace, stability and mutual understanding in the region,” he added.
