Pakistan pledges military support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi tensions
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan will assist Saudi Arabia against any threat, including the Houthis, citing existing defence agreements.
In a video excerpt, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia against any aggression, whether from the Yemeni Houthi rebels or other hostile actors. He highlighted Pakistan's binding obligations under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025 and the broader Makkah Defence Alliance, which also includes Turkey, to treat attacks on any member as attacks on all. The statement follows a recent declaration by ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry that Pakistan would go to "any extent" to protect Saudi security.
The comments arrive amid renewed clashes between the Houthis and Yemen's government, during which the Houthis have announced a maritime blockade and targeted Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Both sides have reported strikes on each other, raising regional tensions. Asif also warned that the Houthis are hostile to Saudi Arabia and, by extension, to Pakistan, dismissing claims that they act as Iranian proxies.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Renewed Yemen fighting forces over 46,000 people from their homes
- Sep 15 Houthi forces reported seizing the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
- Sep 15 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi in Cairo to discuss Red Sea navigation and retaliation against the Houthis.
- Sep 16 Saudi civil defense issued emergency shelter warnings for Jeddah, Mecca and Taif.
- Sep 16 Saudi coalition announced a drone it said was Houthi‑linked was heading toward Mecca and triggered a brief security alert.
- Sep 18 Since the earlier report of 86,000 displaced, the UN now says over 112,000 have been forced from their homes.
- Sep 22 UN agencies warned that displacement could rise to over 230,000 if the fighting continues.
- Sep 23 Ethiopian Airlines posted a flight suspension following the reported airport seizure.
- Sep 25 Trump publicly voiced support for Saudi self‑reliance against Houthi attacks.
- Sep 27 Government forces launched intensified air and ground attacks in Taiz province.
- Sep 27 France announced a military mission to Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 2 Saudi Arabia has moved from planning to actively preparing a large‑scale offensive to retake the Bab el‑Mandeb strait.
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