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

Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia during a United Nations emergency briefing on the situation in the Middle East and Yemen.

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN wrote in an article on X that Ambassador Usman Jadoon noted Islamabad’s condemnation of the Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. “We express our full solidarity with the sister Kingdom and reaffirm our unwavering support for its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

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

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

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

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

Read: Saudi-led coalition pledges ‘unprecedented’ force against Houthi threats

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

Furthermore, Jadoon reaffirmed Islamabad’s strong commitment to promoting dialogue, diplomacy and regional de-escalation, encouraging all parties concerned to maintain channels of communication, avoid actions likely to exacerbate tensions and seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

“Pakistan will continue to support all sincere efforts aimed at fostering 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 movement has vowed to fight back, testing a truce in the long-running conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.

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

Learn more: Yemen’s Houthi leader says group ready for escalation

At the same time, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted ballistic missiles fired at the south of the country by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

The general aviation authority of Yemen’s internationally recognized and Saudi-backed government ordered the closure of all airports in the country, before announcing their reopening a few hours later. The government Defense Ministry said the runway at Sanaa International Airport had been targeted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, with an armed forces spokesman later saying the plane had landed at the Houthi-controlled Hodeidah airport.

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