Pakistan reiterates ‘unwavering support’ for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the Houthi militia’s attacks on Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The development comes hours after Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to create a ​second chokepoint on global oil supplies alongside Iran’s near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Yemen-based ​Houthi militants, who control areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the opposite end of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz, said on Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in ​what some analysts have viewed as a tactical move by Iran to seek leverage.

Five tankers changed course in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, and three ⁠tankers loaded with Saudi oil for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday.

The Houthis said their forces carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, identifying them as the Encelia and the Layla.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz described the attacks as “totally unacceptable,” saying they constituted a clear violation of international law, threatened freedom of navigation and commercial shipping, and undermined regional peace, security and stability.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stating that he, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the entire Pakistani nation stood firmly with the Saudi leadership and people during the critical time.

He reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity.

Shehbaz also assured the Saudi crown prince that Pakistan would continue working closely with the Kingdom and the international community to promote peace, security and stability, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime commerce in the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region.

Crown Prince Salman, as per the PMO, appreciated Pakistan’s continued support and praised the close fraternal ties between the two countries.

During the conversation, the prime minister also conveyed his warm regards and best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.