In a move that could herald a deeper military involvement, Pakistan has stated it will protect Saudi Arabia, putting “whatever means are available” on the table against the Houthis (Houthi forces), in an apparent reference to “irregular forces” from Iran.
These charged statements came from Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif while he was on his way to Rome on Tuesday. When asked about the participation of the Pakistani military in Yemeni airstrikes, Asif made no confirmation of Pakistani involvement. He added that there existed a new mutual defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where Pakistan’s military strength would be at Saudi Arabia’s disposal.
Asif said Pakistan was “bound” by that agreement to defend Saudi Arabia and the capabilities available to the country would also be rendered to Riyadh upon request. He did not reveal whether Saudi Arabia formally had asked for military support.
Days after the military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey held a meeting in Riyadh to talk defense cooperation, intelligence sharing and counteraction to attacks by Houthis, the comments came. In August the three countries signed a Joint Defence Agreement, which says that if one member is attacked, it’s an attack on all three. The pact, according to the countries, is defensive in nature.
Yemen has seen an escalation in recent weeks with Houthis firing missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, and Yemen’s current tensions come on the heels of that latest escalation. The group also controlling land along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, including the key port of Mokha and nearby islands, reports.
The developments have heightened security worries for the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, which links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Even though Pakistan is involved in Saudi defence but it also has diplomatic relations with Iran and Pakistani king is responsible for reducing the greater regional conflict through negotiations. Asif stated that indeed the new alliance shouldn’t harm Islamabad’s diplomatic engagements.