Yemen flare-up

INTENSE fighting has broken out between the Saudi-backed government of Yemen, and the pro-Iran Houthi Ansarallah group that currently holds the capital Sanaa and much of the north.

While the hostilities will add to the miseries of the Yemeni people, the conflict is tied to the US-Iran war as well. Questions have also been raised about the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s allies, including Pakistan, as the Houthis have struck positions in the kingdom. The Yemeni front was largely quiet since the 2022 Saudi-Houthi ceasefire took effect.

But over the past few weeks, there has been open war between the government and Ansarallah. In fact, the Houthis have captured the strategically important city of Mocha as well as key islands off the coast, leaving them largely in control of who gets to pass through the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Houthis say maritime passage is open to all except Saudi vessels.

As the Yemeni front heats up, it is welcome that Pakistan has taken a measured approach to the conflict, in light of its recently upgraded defence ties with Saudi Arabia. In a statement, the Foreign Office said that while Pakistan offered “unwavering support” for Saudi Arabia, there were no plans to join the kingdom in striking the Houthis. The FO further added that Pakistan was “desirous of peace and stability in Yemen”.

This is a balanced stance on what is geopolitically a very tricky issue. While Pakistan has indeed signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, it would be a risky endeavour to join offensive action against forces in a third country. Instead, Pakistan should push for an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the Yemeni conflict.

While Iran has influence over the Houthis, the Yemeni armed group makes its own decisions. However, Islamabad can use its diplomatic channels with Tehran to ask the latter to convince the Houthis to pursue a diplomatic solution. The Yemeni group should halt its attacks on Saudi Arabia; the kingdom, too, should refrain from targeting Yemen. Moreover, Ansarallah has demanded an end to the blockade of Yemen. If Riyadh were to agree to this, it would send a positive message to the pro-Iran group, and could help restart talks for a long-term peace.

The fact is that if there is to be a sustainable solution to the Yemeni conflict, then a power-sharing agreement including all of Yemen’s tribes and sects is needed. If the conflict escalates, Bab al-Mandeb could face a blockade just as the Strait of Hormuz does. This would spell more trouble for the global economy. Therefore, Pakistan and regional states need to push for a ceasefire and peace talks involving the Houthis, the Saudis and the Yemeni government.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2026