Houthi Assaults Condemned as Heinous Crimes

Recent Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia have triggered global concern. Assaults on Najran and Abha airports constituted a grave breach of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and aimed to undermine its economic foundations. Yet the lethal strike on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday proved even more alarming, damaging a key international gateway in the capital and revealing the militia’s blatant boldness. The attack drew condemnation from the UN Secretary‑General, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Arab League, Russia and numerous other nations. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labeled the act a heinous crime.

Harm to Gulf economies reverberates worldwide. The region supplies far more than energy; the Strait of Hormuz has become a pivotal chokepoint for global supply chains. In addition to hydrocarbons, the Gulf produces plastics, fertilizers and building materials, and its thriving economies sustain busy import‑export activity at its ports. Millions of expatriate workers, among them five million Pakistanis, are employed there. Consequently, the Gulf constitutes Pakistan’s principal source of remittances, representing 54.4 % of the total.

Saudi Arabia, the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula with coastlines on two seas, relies on all three service branches for its defence due to its size and geography. The Royal Saudi Air Force contributes speed and range, while the Royal Saudi Naval Forces have grown equally vital as Houthi threats intensify at Bab Al‑Mandab. The Pakistan Navy has maintained a longstanding presence in these waters, operating both autonomously and alongside partners. The Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea border Pakistan, and recent developments have heightened the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz for both the world and Pakistan.

Developments at Hormuz directly impact Pakistan, as the majority of its energy imports transit the strait. Simultaneously, risks in the Gulf of Aden demand equal attention. When Hormuz shipping was disrupted, Saudi Arabia shifted most of its oil exports to Asian markets—including Pakistan—via the Red Sea. Houthi threats to vessels navigating Bab Al‑Mandab have undermined those flows. The Pakistan Navy has been active in the region for decades within the Bahrain‑based Combined Maritime Forces and could assist in keeping the Red Sea open through coordination with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

Militias and proxies have done enormous harm to the world and to the international order.

Javed Hafeez

Under international law, global waterways must remain open to maritime traffic. Any attempt to impede navigation breaches that law, and when perpetrated by a designated militia it constitutes a double offence. Since Houthi actions near Bab Al‑Mandab jeopardise worldwide trade, Saudi Arabia’s stance enjoys broad international backing. Certain states, including the United States, have indicated readiness to assist Saudi‑aligned Yemeni government forces in preserving the chokepoint.

Under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, Pakistan and Turkey can assist Saudi Arabia in countering Houthi attacks. As the Houthis constitute a militia rather than a conventional army, the allied response must be both strong and judicious. Combined, they can render the Kingdom’s air defences virtually impenetrable. Turkey contributes the requisite technology, while Pakistan supplies the expertise to intercept Houthi missiles and drones before they enter Saudi airspace; furthermore, the Pakistani and Turkish navies possess the capability to keep Bab Al‑Mandab open in accordance with international law.

In recent months the region has experienced unprecedented tension. These disruptions have intensified regional and rivalries and inflicted serious damage on the global economy. Energy prices have risen worldwide, supply chains have been disrupted, and transport costs and insurance premiums have surged due to developments in the Gulf and the Red Sea. Those responsible have contributed nothing to the global economy or to humanity. Militias and proxies have inflicted substantial harm on the world and the international order.

Pakistan holds a steadfast interest in regional peace and stability and remains fully committed to defending the Kingdom under its bilateral and trilateral agreements. For every Pakistani, safeguarding the Holy Cities from hostile intent is an act of faith. Apart from these enduring spiritual bonds, Pakistan has a significant economic stake in Saudi Arabia, which provides its largest source of remittances—roughly one‑quarter of the funds sent home by overseas Pakistanis. Defending the Kingdom thus reflects both religious conviction and national interest.

Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst. X: @JavedHafiz8

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