Pakistan vows practical and diplomatic support to Saudi Arabia if Yemen war intensifies
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan will back Saudi Arabia both practically and diplomatically if the Yemen conflict escalates.
Khawaja Asif told a Geo News show that Pakistan is prepared to provide practical and diplomatic assistance to Saudi Arabia should the conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensify. He cited the Makkah Defence Alliance, a three-nation agreement with Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which obliges members to treat an attack on any as an attack on all. Asif added that protecting the holy cities of Makkah and Medina is a religious duty that does not require activation of any treaty.
While refusing to disclose specific military or political measures, he confirmed that the alliance’s provisions would be invoked if the situation deteriorates. The remarks came after the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthis of targeting Makkah, a claim the rebels denied. Asif also warned that Iranian involvement on the Houthi side would be a diplomatic error, given Tehran’s own regional conflicts.
Why it matters
Pakistan's pledge could widen the Saudi-Houthi conflict, affecting regional security and global oil routes.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Houthi strikes wound dozens in Saudi cities as coalition vows retaliation
- Sep 8 Iran announced plans to establish a maritime exclusion zone extending from the Gulf area.
- Sep 9 The European Union called on the Houthis to stop all attacks and warned of threats to regional stability and Red Sea shipping.
- Sep 10 Saudi civil defence lifted the emergency alert in Khamis Mushait following the Houthi strikes.
- Sep 11 GCC nations issued a joint condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UN Security Council.
- Sep 11 The UN International Organisation for Migration says at least 46,000 Yemenis have been displaced since last week as clashes intensify.
- Sep 11 Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis attacked the Saudi Arabian southwestern cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan with ballistic missiles and drones.
- Sep 11 Iranian and Saudi diplomats held talks aimed at reducing regional insecurity.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 16 Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone aimed at Mecca and accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels of the plot, which the rebels denied.
- Sep 16 Houthis seized coastal towns and islands at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
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