Pakistan Warns Iran to Restrain Houthis Following Major Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has delivered a warning to Iran to rein in its Houthi allies after the group launched a series of attacks on southern Saudi Arabia. According to Saudi, Pakistani, and Iranian sources, the message was conveyed in a coordinated effort to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a broader regional security conflict. The warning carries weight due to a defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that unprovoked aggression into Saudi Arabia could make this joint security arrangement operational, though Pakistani sources clarified that any military role would be limited to defending Saudi territory and would not involve combat operations on foreign soil.

The escalation began when Houthi rebels targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby cities, including Abha and Jazan. These attacks wounded 73 people and set fire to petroleum facilities. Saudi officials described the strikes as a dangerous escalation, while Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the attacks were a response to Saudi aggression. In retaliation, Saudi Arabia launched dozens of strikes, with Saree reporting 54 airstrikes across various Yemeni provinces over a 12 hour period. Houthi controlled media reported that at least 32 people died in Yemen due to these Saudi attacks, though Riyadh did not confirm the casualties.

Iranian officials have denied controlling the Houthis. However, some Iranian sources alleged that Tehran had encouraged the attacks last week by promising additional funding and weapons. Geopolitical analysts suggest the Houthis are attempting to break a ten year economic blockade and gain control over the Bab al Mandeb strait to exert power over the Red Sea. This conflict is viewed as a secondary theater of a larger regional war involving the United States and Iran.