PM Shehbaz condemns 'blatant' attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirms unwavering support

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the blatant attacks carried out against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday night, terming them a direct violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In an official statement, the prime minister termed the attacks as reprehensible actions that have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability.

The development comes a day after Yemen’s Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.

Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles “launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region,” the spokesperson for a Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on X.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said they had targeted the international airport in Saudi Arabia’s Abha, the capital of a mountainous southern region bordering Yemen where many Saudis escape the summer heat.

The strikes are the first claimed by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since an informal truce went into effect in March 2022 following Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security of Saudi Arabia, stating that Islamabad stands in complete solidarity with the Kingdom at this critical time.

“Pakistan remains dedicated to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, security, and mutual understanding across the region,” he added.

Pakistan backs Yemen peace process

At the United Nations as well, Pakistan has strongly condemned the Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its full support for the kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking at the UN Security Council’s emergency briefing on the situation in Yemen, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, also reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter and international law.

He stressed that rising tensions and interconnected crises in the Middle East required dialogue, diplomacy and sustained efforts towards de-escalation.

The Pakistani envoy said a comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen could only be achieved through a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations and addressing the legitimate aspirations of all Yemenis.

Referring to the prisoner exchange agreement reached earlier this year, Jadoon said the development demonstrated that dialogue could deliver tangible results even under difficult circumstances, urging all parties to build on this momentum and work towards a durable nationwide ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement.

Highlighting the humanitarian situation in Yemen, he noted that years of conflict had subjected the Yemeni people to displacement, economic hardship, food insecurity and the collapse of essential services, warning that any further escalation would worsen civilian suffering and undermine prospects for peace.

Pakistan also strongly condemned the continued arbitrary detention of UN personnel, humanitarian workers and diplomatic staff, as well as the seizure of UN premises and assets by the Houthis.

Calling these actions a violation of international law, Jadoon demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel and urged full respect for the privileges and immunities of UN staff, facilities and assets.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, he said Islamabad would continue supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, diplomacy, stability and mutual understanding across the region.