Pakistan Condemns Houthi Attack on Aramco Building
Pakistan on Monday condemned the Houthi attack on Saudi oil company Aramco’s office in Riyadh. The Foreign Office (FO) demanded that the rebel group stop all attacks against Saudi Arabia “immediately and unconditionally”.
What Happened in Riyadh
On Sunday, an Aramco building in Riyadh was targeted in what the Saudi energy ministry called an “attempted attack”. The skyscraper was damaged. The Houthis said they were responsible for the attack.
Aramco facilities have been targeted many times by rebels in Yemen in recent months. This includes tankers, refineries, storage areas, and the company’s headquarters.
Pakistan’s Statement
The FO said targeting civilian infrastructure shows a “reckless regard for human life and regional security”. It demanded that the Houthis end all attacks against Saudi Arabia “immediately and unconditionally”.
“Fortunately, no casualties were reported,” the FO said. It praised the “vigilance and swift response” of Saudi authorities in dealing with what it called “unjustifiable and unprovoked aggression”.
Pakistan expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The statement said Pakistan stands firmly with the kingdom’s leadership and supports all steps needed to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
It added that Saudi Arabia’s security is of “paramount importance” to Pakistan.
“Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our Saudi brothers and sisters remains steadfast,” the statement said.
Defence Agreements Between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Pakistan has condemned Houthi attacks many times before, calling them a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.
Islamabad and Riyadh have signed two defence agreements. These are the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which also includes Turkiye.
Under the Makkah Defence Alliance, leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye met in Riyadh last month. They agreed to send military forces and capabilities to the kingdom quickly if needed.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military’s spokesperson, said in mid-October that Pakistan is giving “whatever support is needed” to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks.
However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general said the alliance has no offensive plan. He said it is purely defensive.
Details of Sunday’s Attack
The attack happened hours after Saudi Arabia’s education ministry said schools in Riyadh would reopen for in-person classes. Students had been learning remotely for weeks after earlier strikes.
Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the coalition, said on social media that air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthi group towards Riyadh. Loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital.
An eyewitness told AFP that the Aramco tower in KAFD, or the King Abdullah Financial District, was targeted. Two other witnesses also saw damage to the building.
About King Abdullah Financial District
The King Abdullah Financial District is a major part of Saudi Arabia’s economic and social reform plans. The area has tall glass skyscrapers, expensive shops, and green spaces.
It is home to many large local companies and international firms such as Goldman Sachs. The Public Investment Fund and the Saudi stock exchange also have their headquarters in the district.
Source: dawn