Shehbaz condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned Houthi attacks targeting civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, expressing solidarity with the Kingdom’s leadership and people. In a post on social media platform X, he said Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia. “Such dastardly attacks threaten innocent lives as well as regional peace and security, ” Shehbaz said, reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. He also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the attacks. The attacks on Tuesday wounded 73 people, including women and children, and disrupted operations at some energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, according to Saudi authorities. Attacks leave 73 injured; trigger fires at energy sites The Iran-backed Houthis targeted the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran with missiles and drones, Reuters reported. Fires broke out at several energy sites following the attacks, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend operations at some facilities while emergency teams worked to contain the blazes. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al Maliki described the attacks as a serious escalation and a violation of Saudi sovereignty. He said the coalition would take necessary measures to deter the Houthis and neutralise the threat. The Saudi Energy Ministry said the attacks affected oil facilities and other utilities in the southern region. The Houthis later claimed responsibility for what they described as a large-scale military operation deep inside Saudi territory. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had launched missiles and drones at economic and military targets. The group said the attacks were in response to Saudi military action in Yemen. The latest escalation comes after weeks of renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, threatening to further destabilise the region. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi oil installations and vessels in the Red Sea in recent months, raising concerns over regional energy supplies and vital shipping routes. Yemen’s conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile. Fighting later drew in a Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government. The conflict eased significantly after a 2022 truce, but renewed hostilities have raised fears of a wider escalation. The latest attacks also come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with the conflict putting further pressure on global energy markets. Reuters reported that oil prices rose sharply following the strikes on Saudi energy facilities. With inputs from Reuters

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