Pakistan demands swift UN Security Council action to halt Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 10 (APP)::Pakistan issued a stern warning to the Houthi militia at the United Nations Security Council Friday, demanding an immediate halt to ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabian civilian and economic infrastructure.

Highlighting the serious threat to regional stability, global energy security, and international maritime trade, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, called on the 15-member Council to take decisive action against the Yemen-based militia.

The warning comes amid a devastating wave of Houthi strikes that targeted major Saudi aviation hubs—including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport—killing at least three Saudi nationals, including an airline pilot, and disrupting global aviation.

In this regard, the Pakistani envoy also drew attention of the Council delegates to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to the Kingdom’s territorial integrity that remains “resolute” under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

“Yemen’s descent into conflict is deeply alarming,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, adding that the escalation of hostilities, continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, threats to commercial shipping, fighting around Taiz and Bab el-Mandeb, and deepening humanitarian crisis demand urgent attention.

On their part, the Houthis say they are targeting Saudi Arabia over its support for government forces in Yemen’s reignited civil war. Saudi Arabia says it is backing an offensive by Yemen’s UN-recognized government to take back territory from Houthis rebels.

Condemning the ongoing Houthi “terrorist” attacks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad called for an immediate end to such “reckless attacks” that pose a grave threat to regional peace and security. “The security and sanctity of the two Holy Mosques must be respected at all times.”

Pakistan, he said, reaffirms its support for Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and its internationally recognized government.

The Pakistani envoy demanded that Houthis cease attacks on commercial shipping in and around Taiz and Bab el-Mandeb to ensure maritime security.

Freedom of navigation must be upheld, he said. “These vital waterways cannot remain exposed to attacks that endanger seafarers, disrupt trade and compound global economic hardship.”

Pakistan, he said,  supports UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg’s peace efforts, suggesting that all diplomatic channels must be used to contain escalation, maintain communication and facilitate a cessation of hostilities. “These efforts should restore a credible, inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under United Nations auspices.”

Civilians must be protected, the Pakistani envoy stressed. “Safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, protection of civilian infrastructure, and adequate funding for relief operations are indispensable — food, fuel and essential commercial supplies must reach all those in need.”

He also reiterated the call for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of detained United Nations, humanitarian and diplomatic personnel.

“The Council must act with unity and purpose to halt Houthi attacks, safeguard regional security, alleviate suffering and restore a credible path towards a political settlement,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad added.

Pakistan, he said,  stands with the Yemeni people, supports efforts towards a peaceful, stable and united Yemen, and will continue to make every effort to advance lasting peace and stability in the region.

Ambassador Asim Ahmad, who will soon be leaving his post to take over as Foreign Secretary, took the opportunity to thank his colleagues on the Council, the Secretary-General and UN officials for their cooperation and support during his tenure in New York.

Briefing the Security Council, Grundberg, the UN envoy, said Yemen has slid back into full-scale war in the past few weeks, with hostilities spreading across multiple frontlines.

Following Houthis advances on Mokha and the coast along the Bab al-Mandab, intense fighting has continued in the highlands west and south of Taiz city, and across into Lahj.

Earlier this week, the Government launched a large-scale counter-offensive and has since reported retaking areas around the Bab al-Mandab.  Fighting has also intensified in Marib, al-Jawf, and Hajjah and Houthis have carried out deadly attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

“I echo the Secretary-General’s condemnation, and repeat my call on Ansar Allah (Houthis)  to cease these attacks.”

While the situation in Yemen remains highly fluid, one fact is clear: “Civilians, especially women and children, are once again bearing the brunt of escalating violence, at a time when Yemen has been ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the world’s poorest country,” Grundberg said.

“Ongoing instability in the Middle East continues to impact dynamics in Yemen, while developments in Yemen in turn reverberate across the region,” he continued.

The Houthis’ threats against Saudi-linked commercial ships in the Red Sea undermine the freedom of navigation of every country.

“These threats are becoming enmeshed with the broader confrontation over control of maritime trade routes and the stresses on the international energy market,” Grundberg said.

While military pressure can strengthen political leverage, war and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive, he asserted.

“Ultimately, gains on the battlefield cannot substitute for the negotiations that will be required to settle the conflict.”

Welcoming the release by Houthis of one United Nations detainee as a positive step, he said that 72 colleagues remain detained, and meaningful progress towards their release has yet to be made.  “Their release is especially urgent,” he said.