Intense fighting has erupted between Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Houthi Ansarallah movement, which controls the capital Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. The renewed hostilities threaten to deepen the suffering of a population that has endured years of war, displacement and economic hardship. At the same time, the latest escalation cannot be viewed in isolation from the wider confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as the broader US-Iran tensions reshaping the region.
The renewed fighting also raises difficult questions about the role of Saudi Arabia’s allies, including Pakistan. The issue is particularly sensitive because the Houthis have previously targeted Saudi territory, while Islamabad’s defence relationship with Riyadh has recently grown closer. The Yemeni front had remained relatively calm after the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire of 2022, but that fragile lull now appears to be under serious strain.
The latest developments have increased concerns about the strategic importance of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. The Houthis’ control of strategically important areas and their ability to threaten shipping routes gives them significant leverage over maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key commercial waterways. Any prolonged disruption to shipping in the area could have consequences far beyond Yemen, affecting international trade, energy supplies and already fragile global supply chains.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s measured response is welcome. Despite its strengthened defence ties with Saudi Arabia, Islamabad has indicated that it has no plans to participate in offensive military action against the Houthis. The Foreign Office has reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia while also stressing that Islamabad wants peace and stability in Yemen.
This cautious position is both sensible and in Pakistan’s national interest. Pakistan has important strategic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia, but joining offensive military operations in a third country could expose Islamabad to serious political, security and diplomatic risks. It could also draw Pakistan into a wider regional conflict at a time when the country has strong reasons to avoid becoming directly involved in another war.
Pakistan should instead use its diplomatic influence to encourage an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations. While Iran exercises considerable influence over the Houthis, Ansarallah is not simply an extension of Tehran and has its own political and military calculations. Nevertheless, Islamabad’s diplomatic channels with Iran could be used to encourage Tehran to support efforts aimed at ending the violence and bringing the Houthis back to the negotiating table.
At the same time, the Saudi side must also be encouraged to exercise restraint. The Houthis should halt attacks against Saudi Arabia and other regional targets, while Riyadh should avoid actions that could further intensify the conflict inside Yemen. The Houthi demand for an end to restrictions and the blockade affecting Yemen also needs to be addressed through negotiations. Any meaningful concession on humanitarian and economic access could help create an environment in which serious peace talks become possible.
Ultimately, there can be no durable military solution to Yemen’s conflict. A sustainable settlement will require an inclusive political agreement that takes into account Yemen’s various tribes, political factions and sectarian communities. Excluding any major stakeholder is likely to leave the foundations for another round of violence.
The international community and regional powers must also recognise the wider consequences of a prolonged conflict. If the fighting spreads and maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandeb is seriously disrupted, the impact could extend across the global economy. The world has already seen how instability around critical waterways can affect shipping costs, energy markets and international trade.
Pakistan, therefore, should continue to support Saudi Arabia’s security while firmly resisting pressure to join offensive operations in Yemen. Its priority should be diplomacy, mediation and humanitarian assistance. Regional states should work collectively for a ceasefire and support direct negotiations involving the Houthis, the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia. Yemen has suffered enough from war; another cycle of escalation will only make a political settlement harder to achieve.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
