UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, warning that continued attacks threaten regional peace and stability and could have serious consequences for the global economy and energy security.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Yemen, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Islamabad would continue its efforts at the highest levels to help defuse tensions and advance peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, all Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif, in his conversation with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of these… pic.twitter.com/jHuhtvF7zl
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) September 15, 2026
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, all Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said.
He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the attacks during his conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, all Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said, reaffirming Pakistan’s “unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia’s Security
He said Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right, consistent with the UN Charter and international law, to take necessary measures to defend its territory, protect its citizens and safeguard its national assets against threats.
Expressing concern over the expansion of Houthi attacks in and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Ambassador said, “This vital maritime corridor represents a serious escalation.”
Threat To Shipping
He warned that continued violations of international law against commercial shipping posed a growing threat to freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of international maritime commerce.
“Any attempt to threaten, obstruct, or weaponise the vital waterways will have consequences for international trade and commercial shipping, global supply chains, and energy security,” he cautioned.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad noted that the relative calm painstakingly maintained in Yemen since 2022 had unfortunately collapsed, warning that “continued escalation risks reigniting a full-scale conflict and drawing Yemen deeper into the wider regional confrontation. This must be prevented.”
He also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation and called for diplomacy to match the gravity of the crisis.
Urgent Diplomacy
“Diplomacy must assume urgency in proportion to the gravity of this situation,” the Permanent Representative said, expressing Pakistan’s strong support for “the resumption of an inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under United Nations auspices.”
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Pakistan would continue to support sincere efforts aimed at resolving the conflict through peaceful means.
“Pakistan will continue to support all sincere efforts towards de-escalation, dialogue, and a comprehensive political settlement that can bring lasting peace and stability to Yemen and the wider region,” he affirmed.
Bab Al-Mandab Concern
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar also warned about the wider consequences of attacks affecting maritime routes around Yemen.
The Bab Al-Mandab Strait is a critical international shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Continued disruption in the area could affect international trade, energy supplies and global supply chains.
Pakistan has called for preventing further escalation while supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Yemen conflict.
Pakistan has repeatedly condemned attacks against Saudi civilian and economic targets and reaffirmed its support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security.
Drone Intercepted Near Makkah
Earlier, Saudi air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi militia before it entered the prohibited airspace around the Holy City of Makkah, according to a statement by the official spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Major General Turki Al-Malki, official spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the drone at 18:50 on Tuesday, September 15.
“At 18:50 on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the terrorist Houthi militia before it entered the prohibited airspace area of the Holy City of Makkah. The hostile drone was intercepted in southern Makkah,” Al-Malki said in the statement, according to SPA.
The statement said the drone was intercepted in southern Makkah before reaching the prohibited airspace around the Holy City.
Second Reported Attempt
According to Al-Malki, the incident marked the second reported attempt to target the area around Makkah, following a ballistic missile incident in July 2017.
The coalition spokesperson described the latest incident as a hostile act and said it could have threatened worshippers, Umrah performers, residents, and visitors to the Holy City.
” This hostile and terrorist act is the second attempt to target Makkah, following the first attempt with a ballistic missile on July 27, 2017,” he said and added that this can only be described as a disgraceful act, an attempt to target the birthplace of revelation, the land of the message, and the destination that draws the hearts of millions of Muslims from around the world.
Security Of Holy Sites
Al-Malki said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of Umrah performers remained a “red line”.
“The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the Umrah performers is a red line, and the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and its hostile and terrorist behaviour,” he said.
He said the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen would take necessary and deterrent measures in response to hostile actions by the Houthi militia.
The statement also described the reported drone launch as a deliberate act aimed at provoking the feelings of Muslims and threatening the safety of those visiting Makkah.
“This hostile attempt will remain a mark of shame on the record of violations committed by the extremist terrorist Houthi militia, as it was a deliberate act intended to provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims,” Al-Malki said.
SPA reported that the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed the drone before it entered the prohibited airspace around Makkah.
