Dialogue needed

Dialogue needed

AS the situation in Yemen remains explosive, with the potential to spark a wider military conflagration in the region, as well as global economic chaos, Pakistan has taken a balanced position on the Saudi-Houthi conflict. While reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and terming the situation around Bab al-Mandeb “exceptionally serious”, the Foreign Office said that “dialogue and diplomacy” were required, not “coercive measures”. This should answer questions pertaining to Pakistan’s commitments regarding its defence pacts with the kingdom. Though Islamabad remains committed to Riyadh’s security, at this time it supports a negotiated settlement to the conflict with the pro-Iran Houthis. It is a logical position for Pakistan to take, for while Saudi Arabia’s security is important, it would be unwise to jump into an open-ended quagmire. The region’s recent history supports this position. Saudi Arabia and the UAE — with Western military support — had been unable to dislodge the Houthis since the Saudi military campaign began in 2015, and in 2022, Riyadh opted for a ceasefire, which has now collapsed. To simply dub the Houthis Iranian ‘proxies’ is simplistic. While the Zaidi Shia movement has strong ties to Iran, it is an indigenous Yemeni group with centuries-old cultural and political roots in their homeland, and the support of local tribes, particularly in the north. Therefore, it cannot be bombed into oblivion. Any solution to the Yemeni imbroglio must involve the Houthis. The humanitarian situation in Yemen itself is dire. Nearly 100,000 people have been uprooted in the latest round of fighting, while the UN says that around 20m people require aid as they have to contend with “acute hunger”. Yemen’s health system has also collapsed due to the never-ending war. Externally, the closure of Bab al-Mandeb by the Houthis could deliver a painful blow to an already frail global economy. And if the conflict draws in other regional states, the situation could transform into a dangerous maelstrom. Hence, any call for dialogue makes sense. There are reports that the Saudis have sought talks with the Houthis via Oman. Hopefully, this channel can deliver positive results and lead to a halt in fighting. For long-term peace, the Houthis must pledge to keep Bab al-Mandeb open for all, and stop their attacks on Saudi Arabia. In return, the kingdom must lift its blockade of Houthi-held territory. Once calm is established, talks can begin for a broad-based Yemeni government, which incorporates all the country’s tribal and confessional stakeholders. Ultimately, any peace agreement must guarantee the security of both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and lead to an inclusive system where all Yemeni parties are accommodated. Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026