New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has once again expressed its firm backing for a broad-based, lasting and inclusive political settlement in Yemen, stressing that the process must be driven and owned by the Yemeni people and facilitated by the United Nations (UN).
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the situation in Yemen had reached a highly serious and dangerous stage as Houthi attacks in the region continued to intensify.
The emergency session was convened at the request of Bahrain and the United Kingdom, which serves as the Council’s penholder on Yemen, under the presidency of France.
Yemen has faced prolonged instability since the Houthi militia took control of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014, leading to a conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
In 2022, the UN brokered a truce that was initially agreed for two months and was later extended, with the Security Council continuing to receive regular briefings on the situation.
Ambassador Asim Ahmad denounced Houthi strikes targeting civilian and economic installations in Saudi Arabia, describing them as a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warning that such actions were damaging prospects for a peaceful settlement in Yemen.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We fully support the Kingdom’s legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend its territory, protect its citizens and residents, and safeguard its national assets against any threat.”
The Pakistani envoy further cautioned that continued fighting in Yemen, together with attacks on vessels operating in the Red Sea, could contribute to a much wider deterioration of security across the region.
He called for tensions to be brought down and urged the parties to return to a credible political process under UN auspices that is led by Yemenis. He also highlighted the growing humanitarian needs in the country, pointing out that more than 22 million Yemenis are currently dependent on assistance.
Ambassador Asim Ahmad also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of UN staff members, humanitarian workers and diplomatic personnel who remain detained.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, while briefing the Security Council, warned that the country was entering an increasingly dangerous phase of the conflict following the Houthis’ capture of the strategically important port city of Mokha.
The seizure has placed the group in a position close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, prompting renewed concerns over the security and freedom of navigation through one of the world’s key routes for trade and energy transportation.
Grundberg said clashes had extended to Taiz, Hudaydah, Marib, Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda, resulting in civilian deaths and forcing more than 11,400 households to leave their homes since September 3.
He also reported that the Houthis had carried out attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
Grundberg called on the Houthis to stop attacks and threats targeting commercial shipping and stressed the need for continued dialogue, protection of civilians and preservation of the prospects for a political settlement.
He said a number of pressing demands raised by Yemenis, including reopening roads, ensuring salary payments, improving public services and securing the release of detainees, could be dealt with through negotiations.
The UN envoy warned that the repercussions of the escalating conflict would not be confined to Yemen and could create serious consequences for the wider region.
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New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to backing genuine initiatives focused on easing tensions, encouraging dialogue and reaching a broad-based political settlement to achieve sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Yemen and the wider region.
The remarks were made by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Emergency Meeting on Yemen.
He described the developments in Yemen as increasingly serious and troubling, cautioning that the country had entered a particularly dangerous phase.
The Pakistani envoy pointed to the growing intensity of fighting on several fronts, persistent Houthi attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea, strikes on civilian and economic targets in Saudi Arabia, and the worsening humanitarian crisis as issues of serious concern.
He noted that the latest developments could have consequences extending well beyond Yemen, making it imperative to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and maintain room for diplomatic efforts.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity.
He said Pakistan stood fully with the Saudi leadership, government and people.
The ambassador further stated that, in line with the UN Charter and international law, Pakistan recognises Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to take necessary steps to protect its territory, citizens and residents, as well as secure its national assets from any threats.