Riyadh and Abu Dhabi reaffirm the strength of their relations; Pakistan signals intervention in the Red Sea
Prominent Saudi and Emirati officials affirmed the depth of the historical ties and fraternal bonds uniting their countries, while Pakistan signaled its readiness to intervene in the Red Sea should its interests be threatened.
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari and UAE National Media Office Chairman Abdullah Al Hamed each posted on the X platform, emphasizing the shared history and destiny of the two nations and their wise leadership.
An hour before the ministers’ posts, Saudi Royal Court Advisor Turki Al Sheikh shared an image on X featuring UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, commenting: “Saudi Arabia and the UAE are a story of fraternal relations and entrenched partnership.”
Meanwhile, as Arab and international reactions continued to reject the claims of Yemen’s Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) against Saudi Arabia and its threats to navigation in the Red Sea, Pakistan hinted at the use of force in the Red Sea, firmly rejecting any threats to the security and stability of Riyadh.
In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing threats launched by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and against commercial navigation in the Red Sea. It expressed Islamabad’s deep concern “over reports of threats targeting ships engaged in legitimate trade with the Kingdom.”
The statement noted that “Pakistan reiterates that any hostile action targeting ships flying the Pakistani flag or Pakistani maritime interests would constitute a serious threat to its national security and sovereign interests,” adding that “in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including the legitimate use of force, in self-defense to protect its maritime assets and national interests.”
For its part, the UAE condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi movement’s claims regarding Saudi Arabia, including threats to block maritime navigation to the Kingdom, and announced its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for all measures aimed at preserving its security and stability.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to counter the Houthis if they attempt to obstruct the passage of Saudi ships through the Bab al-Mandab strait, noting that Washington’s relationship with the Yemeni rebels is not good despite their commitment to a previous agreement not to target US ships in the Red Sea.
Rubio described the Houthi movement’s threats against Saudi Arabia as problematic, accusing Iran of stirring unrest in the region by funding several terrorist groups in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, and pointing out that “Tehran recently sent planes to Yemen carrying equipment and weapons.”
