PM Shehbaz condemns fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, reiterates commitment to kingdom's security under Makkah pact
AI Summary
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned fresh Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh and Abha airports, which reportedly caused civilian casualties. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and called on the Houthis to stop the attacks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the Gulf state’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The defence pact, signed on Aug 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. In a post on X, the premier condemned attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, noting resulting civilian casualties. He also commended the “vigilance and professionalism” of the Saudi armed forces and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for interception of ballistic missiles. PM Shehbaz expressed “unwavering” solidarity with Saudi Arabia. “In line with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, and recent decisions taken by its Strategic Political and Defence Committee, our commitment to the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security is resolute,” he wrote on X, adding that Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia right to self-defence. He called on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks. “We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of these threats.” More to follow.