Abdulwahid Abu Ras, the acting foreign minister of Yemen's Houthi-led Ansar Allah administration, has urged Pakistan and Turkey to stay out of the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, India.com web portal reported.

Describing Pakistan as a "friendly Islamic country", Abu Ras said the Houthis support what he called Pakistan's "legitimate demands" in its disputes with India. He also expressed support for Muslim nations and stated that the group stands with Pakistan in its tensions with India.

Abu Ras said Pakistan faces its own economic challenges and regional disputes, including issues involving Afghanistan. He expressed hope that differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan would be resolved peacefully, citing the strong social and cultural links between the two countries.

Reiterating the Houthi position, Abu Ras said the movement supports the interests of Islamic countries and regards Pakistan as a close and friendly nation. He again characterised Pakistan's position in its conflict with India as legitimate and called for a friendly resolution of Pakistan's disagreements with Afghanistan.

The remarks come amid escalating fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Abu Ras also appealed to Pakistan and Turkey not to become involved in the conflict, as concerns grow over the possibility of broader regional participation.

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed the group had launched a ballistic missile strike targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. According to the Houthis, the missile struck its intended target and disrupted air traffic, although Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the claim.

Sarea also issued what he described as a final warning to international airlines, urging them not to continue operating through Saudi airspace. He claimed that Saudi airspace had become part of Houthi military operations.

The reported attack followed earlier Houthi strikes on two Saudi airports that, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities, left three people dead and 36 injured.

The Houthis have intensified missile and drone operations as fighting expands around strategic areas including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The latest developments highlight the growing risk of a wider regional confrontation, with Pakistan and Turkey facing increasing pressure to balance their ties with Saudi Arabia against calls from the Houthis to remain neutral.

Agencies