Flight from Dubai to Israel lands in Saudi Arabia after pilots fight midair

Pakistan is committed to defending Saudi Arabia against any threats, according to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Asif emphasized that Pakistan is obligated to aid Riyadh using all available resources at its disposal. The defence minister reiterated that Pakistan's commitment to Saudi Arabia's security stems from the bilateral defence arrangements between the two nations.

He stressed that Islamabad will not hesitate to employ "whatever means" necessary to protect Saudi Arabia if it faces aggression, whether from the Houthis or any other entity seeking to threaten the kingdom's safety. The minister further clarified that any nation or entity that poses a threat to Saudi Arabia's security is, by default, considered an enemy of Pakistan.

Asif drew a clear line between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, asserting that the stance should be unequivocal. He also addressed Iran's involvement with the Houthis, stating that Tehran does not recognize the group as its proxy, but acknowledged that such groups can evolve and gain autonomy over time. The Houthi threat to Saudi Arabia has been significant, with numerous missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom's military installations, airports, oil facilities, and other critical infrastructure since the Yemeni conflict intensified in 2015.

A notable incident occurred in September 2019, when the Houthi group claimed responsibility for drone strikes against Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq processing facility and Khurais oil field, leading to a temporary disruption of over half of Saudi Arabia's crude oil production.