Pakistan confirms it has troops in Saudi as conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels escalates

Islamabad — Pakistani military officials have confirmed that troops are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia, as clashes between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen's government escalate. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, a spokesperson for Pakistan's military, made the revelation during an interview with CNN on Wednesday, though he refrained from disclosing the exact number or capabilities of the Pakistani forces. The information remains classified.

The confirmation emerged just days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey agreed to a mutual defense treaty, known as the Mecca Alliance, which includes provisions for rapid deployment of forces. Over the past two days, the Houthi rebels have carried out deadly attacks on two Saudi airports, resulting in three fatalities. These assaults highlight the growing impact of the Yemen conflict on Saudi territory.

In response, the US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued an updated security warning, stating that the conflict "has the potential to escalate."

The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, including Sanaa, have been in conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government and a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The fighting intensified in July, following the collapse of a US-Iran ceasefire. In retaliation for Houthi missile strikes on Saudi oil facilities and tankers, Riyadh has conducted airstrikes in support of the Yemeni government.

Recently, Yemeni forces have made advances near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a strategic Red Sea passage controlled by the Houthis, prompting Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets.

Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations, emphasized that Pakistan's involvement in Saudi Arabia is not new, having maintained a military presence in the kingdom for decades. He emphasized Pakistan's unwavering commitment to Saudi Arabia's security, describing the alliance as a collective defense mechanism in which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

However, he declined to confirm if Pakistani troops would participate in any cross-border operations in Yemen, stating that any such involvement would be defensive in nature.