SANAA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on Wednesday called on Türkiye and Pakistan not to be drawn into Yemen's conflict alongside Saudi Arabia, as fighting intensifies and Riyadh strengthens defense cooperation with the two countries.
In a televised speech broadcast by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi praised voices in Türkiye and Pakistan that he said opposed any potential move to draw their countries into Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen.
"I highly appreciate the voices in Türkiye and Pakistan that reject being dragged into the aggression against Yemen," he said, without specifying particular groups or officials in either country.
Al-Houthi also accused Saudi Arabia of escalating military operations despite previous de-escalation efforts.
He said that negotiations with Saudi Arabia had reached a dead end, declaring that "neither negotiations nor other efforts have worked," while accusing Riyadh of maintaining restrictions on "Yemen's airports, imports and economic resources."
The Houthis' remarks came as Saudi Arabia has stepped up defense coordination with Pakistan and Türkiye. The two countries said Monday that they will provide military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia in accordance with their commitments under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
The cross-border attacks came amid intensified fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, particularly near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi forces have stepped up air operations, while the Houthis have increased missile and drone strikes inside Saudi Arabia.
Yemen's conflict began in late 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government, now based in Aden. ■
