Pakistan condemns Houthi attack on Aramco building
Pakistan has strongly condemned the attempted Houthi attack on a Saudi Aramco administrative building in Riyadh, reaffirming its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Office said on Monday.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the targeting of civilian facilities demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life and regional security, demanding that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks against Saudi Arabia.
“Fortunately, no casualties were reported” in the attempted attack on the Aramco building, the statement said.
Islamabad also commended the vigilance and swift response of Saudi authorities in confronting what it described as an unjustifiable and unprovoked act of aggression.
Pakistan reaffirmed its support for all measures necessary to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying the kingdom’s security was of paramount importance to Islamabad.
“Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our Saudi brothers and sisters remains steadfast,” the Foreign Office said.
The statement came a day after an Aramco administrative building in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) was damaged during an attempted attack claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group.
Saudi Arabia issues aerial threat alert
Saudi authorities briefly warned residents of Riyadh of an aerial threat on Monday, a day after the attack on the Aramco building rattled the capital’s financial district.
The Saudi Civil Defence issued an alert advising residents to remain indoors or in a safe location, away from windows and doors, and follow its instructions.
“Warning. The area is under a hostile aerial threat,” the message said, urging people to remain calm.
The warning was lifted minutes later, with authorities indicating that the immediate danger had passed.
The Houthis did not announce a fresh attack on Riyadh on Monday.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has faced repeated attacks from the Houthis in recent weeks after a truce in the long-running conflict in Yemen unravelled in July.
Aramco building sustains minor damage
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh had been subjected to an attempted attack.
The ministry said falling shrapnel caused limited damage to the building, with no injuries or fatalities reported.
However, eyewitnesses told AFP that the skyscraper had sustained visible damage, including shattered windows and damage to parts of its facade.
The building is located in the King Abdullah Financial District, a prominent business hub housing major Saudi companies, international firms and the headquarters of the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund and stock exchange.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had carried out four military operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.
The group listed targets including Riyadh’s financial district, the capital’s airport, Aramco oil storage facilities and the eastern Saudi city of Abqaiq.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said its air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh early on Sunday.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital during the interception.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi energy infrastructure in recent months, including oil facilities, refineries, storage areas and Aramco installations.
Pakistan reaffirms defence commitments
Pakistan has repeatedly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as violations of the kingdom’s sovereignty.
Islamabad and Riyadh have two defence arrangements aimed at strengthening collective deterrence: the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which also includes Turkiye.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said in October that Islamabad was providing “whatever support is needed” to defend Saudi Arabia amid the Houthi attacks.
However, he clarified that the alliance had no offensive intent and was purely defensive in nature.