Pakistan welcomes end of Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Wednesday welcomed an announcement by Saudi Arabia to end four weeks of air strikes by Arab coalition forces in Yemen.

“Pakistan welcomes the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the end of air campaign in Yemen. This will pave the way for political solution of the crisis in Yemen,” said a statement from the foreign office.

“We share the desire of Saudi Arabia for peaceful settlement of the crisis,” it added.

On Tuesday night, the Saudi-led coalition announced an end to "Operation Decisive Storm based on a request by the Yemeni government and President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi”, saying operations would now enter a political phase.

The Saudi defence ministry said the air strikes had managed to "successfully remove threats to Saudi Arabia’s security and that of neighbouring countries" by destroying heavy weaponry and ballistic missiles seized by the Houthis.

Pakistan, a longtime ally of Saudi Arabia, had resisted a request by the kingdom to join coalition forces in the operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The UN health agency said more than 900 people have been killed since the airstrikes were launched against rebels clashing with pro-government forces in Yemen.