Pakistan is considering launching airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen at Saudi Arabia’s request, according to Pakistani sources cited by the Turkish outlet Türkiye Today.
One of the main objectives would reportedly be to eliminate Houthi forces from Saada province and other areas controlled by the militia.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that any attack against Saudi Arabia could activate the “Mecca Alliance,” a joint defense agreement signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Under the agreement, an attack against one of the member countries would be considered an attack against all three.
The reported move comes hours after a large-scale Houthi attack in which dozens of drones and ballistic missiles were launched toward the Saudi Air Force base in Khamis Mushait, as well as facilities belonging to the Saudi state-owned oil company in Abha, Najran and Jizan.
The attack left 73 people wounded and sparked massive fires.
The latest assault comes amid an escalation that began in July and follows a series of Houthi setbacks against Yemeni government forces. Government troops recently halted a Houthi assault on the port city of Al-Mocha and seized the Al-Labanat military camp in Al-Jawf province.
Reuters also reported that Pakistan, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, warned Iran to restrain the Houthi attacks against the kingdom.
In response, an Iranian official claimed that “Iran does not control the Houthis.” However, two Iranian sources reportedly confirmed that Tehran ordered the Houthis to carry out last week’s attacks.
Iran has also promised Sanaa additional funding and weapons, while sending several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders to Yemen to help coordinate the assaults.
Pakistan is reportedly working to restrain the Houthis before Riyadh demands direct involvement in its defense. According to a Pakistani source, Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials met in Riyadh and agreed that any future response would be launched from Saudi territory and would not involve sending troops into Yemen.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
