Pakistan slams Houthi attack on Aramco

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Monday condemned the attempted attack by the Houthis on a Saudi Aramco building in Riyadh, while expressing concern over the targeting of civilian facilities.

An attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis damaged Saudi Aramco's corporate tower in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District on Sunday. The Saudi Energy Ministry said debris from an attempted attack had caused limited damage to the building, adding that no injuries or fatalities had been reported.

The Houthis have increasingly targeted Saudi Aramco facilities and infrastructure, marking a further escalation in the conflict between the group and the kingdom.

In a statement on X, the Foreign Office (FO) said: "Pakistan strongly condemns the attempted attack by the Houthis on a Saudi Aramco administrative building in Riyadh. Fortunately, no casualties were reported."

The statement noted that the targeting of civilian facilities demonstrated a "reckless disregard" for human life and regional security, adding that Pakistan demanded that the Houthis immediately and "unconditionally" cease all attacks against Saudi Arabia.

It added: "Pakistan commends the vigilance and swift response of the Saudi authorities in confronting this unjustifiable and unprovoked aggression."

The FO said Pakistan stood resolutely with the kingdom's leadership and people, reaffirming full support for "all measures necessary" to safeguard Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The security of Saudi Arabia is of paramount importance to Pakistan. Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our Saudi brothers and sisters remains steadfast," the statement concluded.

The latest attack came hours after Saudi authorities announced the resumption of in-person schooling in Riyadh following weeks of remote learning because of earlier Houthi strikes. Several government agencies also returned to office-based work after suspending operations.