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

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

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN wrote in a post on X that Ambassador Usman Jadoon took note of Islamabad’s condemnation of the Houthis’ ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. “We express our full solidarity with the brother Kingdom and reaffirm our firm support for its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he stated.

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 stakeholders to “resolve differences through dialogue, diplomacy and a firm commitment to de-escalation,” particularly during “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 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 a demonstration that “dialogue can produce tangible results even in a difficult environment.”

All parties, the ambassador noted, “should build on this momentum and continue to collaborate constructively to achieve a durable nationwide ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement.”

He added that the people of Yemen 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 deepening 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 humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, as well as the illegal seizure of UN facilities 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 property.”

Furthermore, Jadoon reaffirmed Islamabad’s firm commitment to promoting dialogue, diplomacy and the reduction of regional tensions, encouraging all concerned parties to maintain channels of communication, avoid actions that may escalate 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 comments came as the Houthi movement that controls northern Yemen yesterday accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against Sana’a international airport. The movement promised retaliation, testing a truce in the long conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the attacks a “blatant 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 group ready for escalation

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

The general aviation authority of Yemen’s Saudi-backed and internationally recognized government ordered the closure of all airports across the country, before announcing hours later that they had reopened. The government’s Defense Ministry said the runway at Sana’a International Airport had been attacked to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, and a military spokesman later said 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 Sana’a airport.