Trending
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling the strikes on civilian and energy facilities “cowardly” and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security.
In a statement on X, the prime minister said the attacks injured many people. He expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and prayed for the recovery of those hurt.
Saudi authorities said the Houthis attacked the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. The attacks injured 73 people, according to Saudi officials.
Women and children were among those injured, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said. The strikes also triggered fires at several energy facilities. Emergency teams moved to contain the fires and assess the damage.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan stood firmly with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people.
He warned that such attacks threaten civilian lives and regional peace.
Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The prime minister called for the swift recovery of those injured in the attacks.
The latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia mark another escalation involving the group and Riyadh.
The Houthis claimed in July that they had attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group described those strikes as part of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis control large areas of Yemen near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major international shipping route.
Saudi Arabia has warned the Houthis against further attacks on its territory, citizens and national assets.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government has also vowed a strong response.
The latest violence comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to affect the wider Middle East.
Oil markets reacted to the fresh concerns. Brent crude futures rose by around $1 to $98 a barrel after the Saudi energy ministry issued its statement.
US crude futures also climbed by more than $2 to about $93.65 a barrel.
The Financial Times reported that strikes hit Aramco facilities in Jazan. However, Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report, while Aramco had not commented.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree also warned that the group would announce a broader operation inside Saudi territory.
Saudi authorities said they would take the necessary measures to protect energy facilities and workers while maintaining operations under approved plans.
AdStreet Brings Pakistan’s Creative Industry to the Global Stage at Dragons of Pakistan 2026
The Houthis accused Riyadh of taking escalatory steps through airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Colonel Turki al-Malki rejected the group’s approach and described the latest escalation as dangerous.
He said the coalition would take operational measures against the Houthis and work to deter further attacks.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has also launched operations against Houthi positions on several fronts in recent days.
The latest escalation also comes after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye formalised their strategic defence ties through the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The trilateral framework aims to strengthen military cooperation, collective deterrence and regional security.
Security analysts describe the agreement as a formal structure for longstanding relations rather than the creation of an entirely new military alliance.
Pakistan has maintained decades of defence and strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Islamabad also shares longstanding political and strategic ties with Türkiye.
The new framework seeks to deepen military coordination, intelligence sharing, strategic consultations and defence planning.
Analysts say the agreement reflects changes in the regional security environment.
They point to conflicts, evolving threats and modern warfare as reasons for closer cooperation among countries with shared security interests.
The framework follows the principle of collective security and deterrence. Under this approach, an attack against one member could create wider security consequences for all three countries.
The agreement also encourages the countries to coordinate their military capabilities and strategic planning.
Supporters believe closer cooperation can strengthen preparedness and help deter future conflicts.
For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the framework represents another step towards deeper strategic coordination at a time of growing instability across the region.
Copyright © 2026 99News. All Rights Reserved.
[…] PM Shehbaz Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Reaffirms Support […]