As the situation in Yemen remains explosive, with the potential to spark a wider military conflagration in the region, as well as global economic chaos, Pakistan has taken a balanced position on the Saudi-Houthi conflict.

While reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and terming the situation around Bab al-Mandeb “exceptionally serious”, the Foreign Office said that “dialogue and diplomacy” were required, not “coercive measures”. This should answer questions pertaining to Pakistan’s commitments regarding its defence pacts with the kingdom. Though Islamabad remains committed to Riyadh’s security, at this time it supports a negotiated settlement to the conflict with the pro-Iran Houthis.

It is a logical position for Pakistan to take, for while Saudi Arabia’s security is important, it would be unwise to jump into an open-ended quagmire. The region’s recent history supports this position. Saudi Arabia and the UAE — with Western military support — had been unable to dislodge the Houthis since the Saudi military campaign began in 2015, and in 2022, Riyadh opted for a ceasefire, which has now collapsed.

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