Pakistan has warned the United Nations that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have brought the Yemen conflict to an extremely dangerous juncture. Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Ahmad said the Houthi military escalation inside Yemen, attacks on Saudi Arabia and developments along Yemen’s Red Sea coast had significantly worsened the situation. He strongly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity.
Pakistan also raised concerns about the growing activity around the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Ahmad said attacks in and around the vital maritime corridor represented a serious escalation and could threaten freedom of navigation and international commercial shipping. He warned that disruption to the waterway could affect global trade, supply chains and energy security.
The Pakistani envoy said the relative calm maintained in Yemen since 2022 had broken down. He warned that continued fighting could lead to a wider conflict and draw Yemen further into the broader regional confrontation. Pakistan called for diplomacy to match the seriousness of the situation and supported the resumption of an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices.
Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, all Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif, in his conversation with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of these… pic.twitter.com/jHuhtvF7zl
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) September 15, 2026
The United States and China also called for restraint and de-escalation during the Security Council meeting. China urged the parties to return to negotiations and stressed the importance of protecting shipping in the Red Sea. The United States called on the Houthis to halt their advances and attacks, while also accusing Iran of supporting the group.
Saudi Arabia told the council that the escalation threatened Yemen, regional security, international trade and global supply chains. Yemen’s representative said developments along the western coast and near Bab al-Mandab had turned the conflict into a broader regional and international security concern. Other countries also highlighted the risks to maritime trade and humanitarian conditions.
The UN has said the situation around Bab al-Mandab has become increasingly volatile, while commercial shipping through the Red Sea appeared unaffected at the time of its briefing. The United Nations has urged all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and allow safe humanitarian access.
