Developing Story
Pakistan-Saudi Defense Cooperation Against Houthi Threat
Pakistan is stepping up military support for Saudi Arabia's escalating campaign against Yemen's Houthis, including possible deployment of Chinese-made jets and air-defence systems, following deadly Houthi strikes on Riyadh.
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Saudi Arabia is reportedly escalating its war against Yemen's Houthi rebels, with Pakistani troops expected to take over defensive functions for Saudi forces, freeing them to focus on offensive operations against the Iran-backed group (SCMP, October 3). Pakistani troops are not expected to participate directly in ground offensives, according to defence analysts (SCMP, October 3). Following deadly Houthi strikes on Riyadh's main airport that killed at least 13 people and wounded others, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged on Sunday that Islamabad would cooperate with Riyadh "in every possible way" under their defence agreements (SCMP, October 13). Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets and a China-made air-defence system reportedly deployed to Saudi Arabia could be brought into action as part of this support, underscoring China's indirect role in Gulf security dynamics (SCMP, October 13).