By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Amis escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday warned Houthi militia to immediately stop attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Riyadh amid reports that Pakistani fighter jets had struck targets in Yemen.
A section of media reports have claimed that Pakistan Air Force jets were being used against the Houthis. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected these reports. There has been no independent confirmation of Pakistani aircraft carrying out strikes in Yemen.
In a statement posted on X, Sharif strongly condemned what he described as repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport that caused civilian casualties and injuries. “I strongly condemn the repeated terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Sharif said, commending Saudi forces and the coalition for intercepting ballistic missiles and protecting civilians.
“Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of our brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said. Sharif said Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security was “resolute”, in line with the Macca Joint Defence Agreement and recent decisions taken by the countries’ Strategic Political and Defence Committee.
He also backed Saudi Arabia’s “legitimate right to defend its people and protect its cities and vital infrastructure”. “The Houthi militia must immediately cease these attacks. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of these attacks,” the Pakistani prime minister said.
The statement comes amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis. Saudi-led coalition forces have launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on Saudi targets, with the coalition saying it destroyed three missile-launch platforms.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, causing damage to airport infrastructure and a passenger aircraft, according to media reports. The strikes reportedly killed three people and injured several others, prompting Saudi-led coalition forces to launch retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
The attacks heightened concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure and the risk of a wider regional conflict.
The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia advised Indian nationals to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors when necessary, and follow instructions issued by local authorities through official channels following Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport.