Pakistan, Turkiye providing support to Saudi forces fighting Houthis: Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan and Turkiye are providing support to Saudi Arabia in its military operations against Yemen’s Houthi group.

Speaking during a TV programme, Asif said that Saudi forces were carrying out combat operations, while Pakistani and Turkish troops were assisting them.

He said that Pakistani and Turkish forces were assisting the Saudi military through reconnaissance and other activities. He added that Saudi troops were engaged in ground operations and were working to regain areas held by the Houthis.

The minister’s remarks came after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to facilitate the “rapid deployment” of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) in Riyadh. The Foreign Office said the deployment would be carried out under “approved arrangements” and in accordance with the national laws of the three countries.

Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said its naval forces conducted a military operation in Yemen’s Red Sea province of Hodeidah on Monday night.

Yemeni government forces have already captured key positions in the area, including an airstrip in Dhubab near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis took control of the area last month, causing concerns in global energy markets.