Pakistan is considering military action against Houthi positions in Yemen in case Saudi Arabia formally requests assistance, according to a report by Türkiye Today.
Saudi Arabia is facing a growing war with the Iran-backed Houthi movement and the newly signed defence deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Turkiye may soon be put to its first serious test.
The possibility comes amid a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks in Saudi territory. Houthi forces also launched attacks against various Saudi locations on September 8 such as Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.
Saudi sources said the attacks targeted civilian and energy infrastructure and more than 70 people were injured.
Pakistani sources told Türkiye Today that Islamabad may participate in airstrikes on Houthi forces if Riyadh formally requests military intervention under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
Such an operation would be a stark departure from Pakistan’s cautious approach to the Yemen conflict.
The Mecca defence pact, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye earlier this month, sets the stage for mutual defence.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the agreement could take effect if the Yemen conflict spills over Saudi territory, and aggression against one member would be seen as aggression against all.
But the exact nature of Pakistan’s involvement is quite unclear. Pakistan already has military personnel and air-defence capabilities deployed in Saudi Arabia so it might be first concerned with Saudi territory, strengthening air defence, surveillance and intelligence rather than bombing operations in Yemen.
The Pakistani military support might be limited to logistics or defensive support, Türkiye Today also noted.
The situation is particularly sensitive because Pakistan shares a border with Iran and has tried to maintain balanced relations with Tehran.
Attacks on Houthi positions could complicate those ties and potentially pull Pakistan into the bigger regional conflict.
The Houthis also warned that Islamabad may become a target if Pakistan takes military action against them and that this adds another layer of risk to the situation.
Pakistan is still considering its options, but has not confirmed an air campaign. According to Reuters, Islamabad has warned Iran to stop Houthi attacks and Pakistan’s role in the region is to protect Saudi Arabia from regional conflict.
If Pakistan is to launch strikes in Yemen, it will be the first major operational test of the Mecca defence pact and could significantly alter the security landscape of the Middle East.
