PM Shehbaz condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirms Pakistan’s solidarity

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned what he described as the “blatant attacks” carried out against Saudi Arabia, calling them a violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement shared on X, the premier said such actions had the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability.

Yemen’s Houthi movement launched ballistic missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Monday, claiming the attack was ‘retaliation’ for air strikes on Sanaa International Airport. Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted the projectiles, according to the Saudi-led coalition, which said there were no casualties or damage.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia, PM Shehbaz said Islamabad stood in complete solidarity with the “brotherly Kingdom” at this critical time. He added that Pakistan would continue to support all sincere efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, security and mutual understanding across the region.

Houthi attacks

The escalation followed strikes earlier in the day on Sanaa airport, where the Houthis said the runways used for take-offs and landings had been targeted. Yemen’s internationally recognised government claimed responsibility, saying the operation was intended to stop an Iranian aircraft from landing after Houthi authorities allegedly prevented a Yemeni passenger plane from using the airport.

As per BBC, officials in Aden accused the Iran-backed Houthis of insisting that an Iranian aircraft carrying a delegation returning from the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei be allowed to land instead. According to the Yemeni government, the runway was struck after negotiations failed. The Iranian aircraft later diverted to the western city of Hudaydah, according to Houthi officials.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree blamed Saudi Arabia for the airport strike, declaring that the informal de-escalation between the two sides had ended. He warned that the attack would “not go unanswered or unpunished” and urged airlines to avoid Saudi airspace until restrictions on Sanaa airport were lifted.

The exchange marked the most serious flare-up between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia since an informal truce took hold four years ago. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention the following year in support of the internationally recognised government.

The renewed violence drew international concern. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari warned that Yemen and the wider region could not afford another cycle of escalation and called on all parties to return to UN-led negotiations. Britain condemned the Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia, while Iran denounced the strike on Sanaa airport as a violation of international law.

Meanwhile, Axios reported that Trump had allegedly agreed to provide his ‘backing’ to the Saudi crown prince for ‘risky strikes’ on Houthis. However, it should be noted that neither the White House or Saudi government officials have confirmed this development.