Pakistan deploys troops to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Pakistan has deployed a substantial number of troops and military resources to Saudi Arabia to assist in defending the kingdom against Houthi rebel attacks. The mobilization follows a recent mutual defense agreement signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, which was facilitated by the United States.

According to Sajjad Haider Khan, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deployment is strictly defensive. He stated that Pakistani forces “will not cross borders to carry out attacks against the Houthis” in Yemen, but remain committed to defending Saudi territory. Reports indicate that approximately 8,000 Pakistani military personnel, including air force contingents and army air defense units, are already stationed in Riyadh.

The deployment comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Houthi rebels, who control much of Yemen and are allied with Iran, have intensified aerial attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh's international airport that resulted in fatalities. The conflict has significant implications for global trade, as Houthi forces have seized control of parts of the Yemeni coastline and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime corridor in the Red Sea.