Pakistan Condemns Houthi Strikes on Saudi Arabia, Warns of Regional Instability

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s outgoing United Nations envoy, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, sharply condemned the recent Houthi rebel attacks targeting Saudi Arabia on Saturday, labeling them a “grave threat” to regional peace and stability.

Ahmad, recently appointed as Pakistan’s 34th Foreign Secretary, delivered the remarks during his final address to the UN Security Council in his capacity as Permanent Representative. The briefing focused on the deteriorating situation in Yemen.

The statement follows a surge in cross-border assaults, including strikes on airports in Riyadh and Abha on October 6 and 7 that reportedly left three dead and 36 injured.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the outrageous targeting of infrastructure in the Makkah Governorate and the Taibah power distribution station in Madinah tul Munawwarah,” Ahmad posted on the social media platform X.

“We call for an immediate end to such reckless attacks that constitute a grave threat to regional peace and security. The security and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques must be respected at all times,” he added.

Ahmad urged the protection of civilians caught in the fighting between coalition forces and the Houthis, warning that renewed hostilities are worsening the humanitarian crisis. He demanded unimpeded access for food, fuel, and essential commercial supplies to all populations in need.

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

MAKKAH DEFENSE PACT

In a related development, Pakistan’s UN envoy in Geneva, Tahir Andrabi, stated on Friday that the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA) aligns with the UN Charter and serves a defensive purpose aimed at promoting regional stability.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye signed the trilateral defense pact in Makkah in August. The accord stipulates that aggression against any one signatory will be treated as an attack against all three.

Islamabad also finalized a separate bilateral defense agreement with Riyadh in September 2025. Both pacts have drawn increased attention amid the escalating Houthi offensive against the Kingdom.

Addressing the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on Friday, Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s call for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East—specifically between the United States and Iran—the restoration of normal commercial shipping passage, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all regional states.

“Repeated aggression against sovereign states, and the failure to prevent it, are deeply disturbing trends,” Andrabi said. “The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, defensive in character and consistent with the UN Charter, aims to promote collective efforts for peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that Islamabad has deployed additional troops to Saudi Arabia under the bilateral defense pact signed in September 2025. Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan indicated that any further mobilization would be coordinated through the trilateral alliance with the Kingdom and Türkiye amid the ongoing regional escalation.

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