PM Shehbaz condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as 73 injured

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia that injured 73 people, including women and children, as the Saudi-led coalition said several cities had been targeted.

In a post on X, the prime minister expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s leadership and people, and reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I condemn in the strongest terms, the cowardly attack by Houthis targeting civilian and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which have left many people injured,” PM Shehbaz said.

“Such dastardly attacks threaten innocent lives as well as regional peace and security,” he added.

The prime minister said Pakistan stood in “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people.

“We reaffirm our steadfast support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” he said.

73 injured in Houthi attacks

According to the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, Houthi attacks targeted Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, leaving 73 people injured.

The spokesperson said the attacks targeted civilian and economic facilities and warned that the coalition would respond firmly.

The attacks came amid renewed accusations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the Iran-aligned group accusing Saudi forces of conducting strikes in several parts of Yemen.

Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of strikes

The Houthi-run Saba news agency reported that Saudi forces carried out airstrikes and used cruise missiles against targets in Al Jawf, Al Bayda, Marib and Taiz.

The Houthis also alleged that a Saudi strike hit a prison in Al Hazm in northern Yemen, killing seven people, including a child, and injuring at least seven others, including a woman.

Houthi-run Health Ministry spokesperson Anis Al-Asbahi said the strike hit a central correctional facility in Al Jawf province. Houthi television channel Al Masirah aired footage purportedly showing a collapsed building and people searching through the rubble.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on the allegation.

Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Al-Maliki said the coalition’s joint command would take necessary military measures against what he described as a “terrorist militia”, with the aim of defending Saudi sovereignty, national assets and the safety of citizens and residents.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, meanwhile, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out what he called a “massacre” in Yemen and alleged that Saudi aircraft were conducting reconnaissance flights and supplying weapons to mercenaries.