Pakistan

Islamabad, October 5, 2026. The Pakistani press covers Yemen mainly from a military perspective, largely reproducing Reuters and AFP dispatches.

On Sunday, October 4, the chairman of Yemen's Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, announced the start of military operations. According to The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, and ARY News, he stated in a televised address that he wants to "retake the remaining territories of the Republic" and extend state authority "over the entire national territory." Business Recorder specifies that he called on the armed forces to act "until the country is liberated from the grip of the Houthi terrorist militia." Al-Alimi claims that "all opportunities for de-escalation" have been exhausted. The articles recall that, according to regional and Western officials cited by Reuters, Saudi Arabia is preparing this offensive, with Saudi aviation providing support and Yemeni forces on the ground.

The same texts note that the Houthis maintain the initiative on the ground. ARY News mentions a "lightning offensive" that gave them control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait a few weeks ago, while the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed due to the conflict with Iran. Business Recorder, citing four security sources, indicates that the Houthis cut off the road between Taiz and Aden on Sunday and effectively encircled Taiz. It also writes that government forces have failed to repel their latest advances.

The Houthis claim to have launched ballistic missiles and drones against Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area in response to 50 Saudi strikes in 12 hours. According to The Express Tribune, Riyadh has not confirmed. Business Recorder adds that the Houthis have launched a blockade of Saudi energy exports.

Daily Times gives the floor to the coalition. Its spokesperson, General Turki al-Maliki, judged on Saturday, October 3, that the Houthi claims about Riyadh were "deceptive." He speaks of "imaginary victories" and heavy Houthi losses in Taiz. The newspaper cites Yemeni information indicating around 5,000 Houthi fighters lost in one week and 257 precision operations by Yemeni forces. It also refers to an article on the joint commitment of Islamabad and Riyadh in the face of attacks against the Kingdom.

The humanitarian aspect is minimal. Business Recorder merely recalls that Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world, "facing a vast humanitarian crisis." The appeals of the UN envoy and the toll of over 70 dead in 24 hours do not appear in the provided articles.