Pakistan Warns Iran as Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Intensify
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan has warned Iran to rein in its Yemeni Houthi allies amid a sharp escalation in attacks on Saudi Arabia, cautioning that the trilateral security and defence arrangement between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia could become operational if the situation worsens.
According to Reuters, the Houthis attacked a military airbase in Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait and other oil facilities on Tuesday, injuring 73 people. The attack is being described as the largest assault on Saudi Arabia since the US-Israel war with Iran began in February.
Amid the escalating situation, Pakistan has conveyed an important message to Tehran. Citing a senior regional diplomat, Reuters reported that Pakistan had urged Iran over the past 24 hours to use its influence over the Houthis to prevent further attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Iranian officials have maintained that Tehran does not control the Houthis. However, sources reportedly said that Iran had assured the Houthis of increased funding and weapons and encouraged them to intensify attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview that the trilateral defence arrangement would be activated if Saudi Arabia’s borders were violated.
He said any aggression against one of the three countries would be considered aggression against Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, leaving “no ambiguity or doubt” on the matter.
Khawaja Asif said that if the conflict or aggression extended to Saudi Arabia, the agreement would ultimately become operational.
Defence sources said the three countries had decided that their forces would not enter Yemen. Instead, all defensive and retaliatory measures would be carried out from Saudi territory.
According to the sources, the role of the Pakistani military would remain limited and defensive. Pakistani forces could provide military, technical, ground and air support while remaining within Saudi territory, but would not participate in offensive combat operations on foreign soil.
