At an emergency UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, Pakistan delivered a carefully calibrated statement that reaffirmed its longstanding alliance with Saudi Arabia while calling for de-escalation across the region. Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan's deputy permanent representative, condemned recent ballistic missile attacks against the kingdom and urged all parties to resolve differences through dialogue. The briefing followed a significant flare-up between Yemen's government and Houthi forces, including an attack on Sanaa's international airport and the interception of missiles by Saudi air defenses. Main Developments Monday's UN Security Council meeting was triggered by a Yemeni government attack on Sanaa's international airport, which aimed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing after a Houthi delegation traveled to Tehran for Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral. The Yemeni government had tried to convince the delegation to use a Yemeni flag carrier flight instead. Hours later, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting ballistic missiles fired toward its southern regions by Houthi forces. This exchange marked the most serious escalation between the Yemeni government and Houthis in years, with the latter accusing Saudi Arabia of threatening a UN-negotiated truce that has held since 2022. Ambassador Jadoon explicitly condemned the missile attacks on Saudi soil and expressed Islamabad's full solidarity with the kingdom. Pakistan's statement focused on three pillars: support for Saudi security, respect for Yemen's sovereignty, and the imperative of an inclusive political settlement. Read also: Flash Floods Devastate Diamer, Stranding Residents and Tourists Background Yemen has been mired in conflict since Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention the following year to support the internationally recognized government. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close defense and security ties for decades, with their cooperation serving as a cornerstone of Islamabad's regional diplomacy. In September 2025, the two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh, pledging that an attack on either nation would be treated as aggression against both. The current UN-brokered truce, which has held since 2022, represents one of the few diplomatic achievements in the conflict. However, the recent prisoner exchange agreement reached in May, where both sides agreed to swap over 1,600 detainees, demonstrated that dialogue could yield tangible results even under difficult circumstances. Pakistan has consistently advocated for peaceful resolution of regional disputes, warning that prolonged conflicts deepen humanitarian crises and undermine stability. Why It Matters The escalation threatens to unravel the fragile UN-negotiated truce that has provided a measure of relief to Yemen's civilian population after years of conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. Ambassador Jadoon highlighted the humanitarian toll, noting that Yemenis have endured food insecurity, collapsed essential services, and widespread suffering. Any further escalation risks deepening civilian misery and undermining prospects for lasting peace. Pakistan's position also underscores the delicate balancing act required in regional diplomacy. By simultaneously supporting Saudi Arabia's security, respecting Yemen's sovereignty, and calling for an inclusive political process, Islamabad seeks to maintain its strategic partnership with Riyadh while avoiding entanglement in a broader regional confrontation. The statement also condemned Houthi detention of UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and diplomatic staff, as well as the seizure of UN premises and assets. What's Next Pakistan urged all parties to maintain communication channels and avoid actions that could further increase tensions, calling for a durable nationwide ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement. The prisoner exchange agreement from May provides a potential template for further confidence-building measures. However, the fundamental drivers of the conflict—including Houthi control of Sanaa, Saudi-led coalition operations, and regional rivalries—remain unresolved. The coming weeks will test whether diplomatic channels can prevent the truce from collapsing entirely.