Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey Defense Pact Could Become Operational in Case of Yemen Attacks: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey would become operational in the event of attacks on Saudi Arabia from Yemen.

Speaking to a private television channel, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan was bound under the agreement to support its ally and that there should be no ambiguity on the matter.

According to the defense minister, under the trilateral Makkah agreement, aggression against any one of the three countries would be considered aggression against all three. The member states could subsequently take measures for joint defense.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi group, Ansarullah, reportedly carried out attacks on several Saudi cities, including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan, targeting civilian and economic installations. The attacks reportedly left 73 people injured, including women and children.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, saying such attacks not only pose a threat to innocent human lives but also undermine peace and security in the region.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and expressed complete solidarity with King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.