By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan voiced strong support for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday amid a sharp escalation in Yemen’s civil war, where a Saudi-led coalition has clashed with Emirati-backed separatists, threatening to unravel fragile regional alliances and revive the specter of a divided Yemen.
The statement of solidarity came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasising the need for unity among Muslim nations and urging dialogue to defuse the crisis. It followed a day of airstrikes by the coalition on weapons shipments bound for southern Yemen, which Saudi officials blamed on efforts to fuel the conflict.
“Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its commitment to the security of the Kingdom,” the country’s Foreign Office said in a statement, while reiterating support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity.
The tensions stem from a bold advance by the Southern Transitional Council, a separatist group supported by the United Arab Emirates, which seized control of the eastern governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra in early December. The move disregarded prior agreements within the Arab coalition and has raised alarms about the potential return of an independent South Yemen, a state that existed from 1967 until its unification with the north in 1990.
On Tuesday, the coalition conducted what it described as a limited airstrike on two shipments of smuggled weapons and military hardware from the Emirati port of Fujairah to the Yemeni city of Mukalla. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesman, said the arms were intended to bolster the council’s forces “with the aim of fueling the conflict.” In response, Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s internationally recognised presidential council, demanded that Emirati authorities withdraw their troops from the country within 24 hours.
Saudi Arabia expressed regret over what it called pressure by the Emirates on the separatists to undertake the operations, warning that such actions posed a direct threat to the kingdom’s national security and broader regional stability. The Emirates, for its part, announced the withdrawal of its remaining counterterrorism units from Yemen on Tuesday, citing concerns over the safety and effectiveness of operations amid the recent developments. Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty, rejecting any actions that could undermine stability.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in its statement, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of violence and opposed unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that could escalate the situation or undermine peace efforts. It welcomed regional initiatives to de-escalate and called for an inclusive settlement through dialogue, urging Yemen’s factions and neighboring powers to safeguard stability.
During his call with Crown Prince Mohammed, whom he addressed warmly, Sharif conveyed greetings to the Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and thanked the prince for his affection toward Pakistan. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening fraternal bonds that “had attained new heights during recent months,” according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
Sharif emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah “in the midst of various current challenges.” While expressing Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the kingdom, he said it was imperative to maintain regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. The crown prince thanked Sharif for the call and reiterated Riyadh’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest. He also expressed his intention to make an official visit to Pakistan in the coming year.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sharif met with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, at the Prime Minister House to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments. The prime minister conveyed his satisfaction with the relations between the two countries and reaffirmed his resolve to deepen them further. He thanked Crown Prince Mohammed for his patronage and support, which he said had brought the nations closer than ever.
Recalling highly productive meetings with the prince throughout the year, Sharif expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s consistent assistance to Pakistan in times of need. The ambassador conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed, echoing the kingdom’s interest in broadening cooperation. The discussions in Islamabad come against a backdrop of intensified diplomatic activity. On Tuesday, Sharif, along with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials, met with the UAE’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during the Emirati leader’s private visit to the Pakistani city of Rahim Yar Khan. The meeting followed Sheikh Mohamed’s official trip to Islamabad earlier in the month.
The leaders explored ways to enhance collaboration in fields including information technology, energy, mining and minerals, as well as defence. The Yemen conflict, which has drawn in regional powers since 2015, has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The recent flare-up deals a blow to stalled peace negotiations involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen. Pakistan, with its deep historical ties to both Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, has positioned itself as a proponent of de-escalation, hoping to prevent the strife from spilling over into broader instability.
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