ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan will stand by Saudi Arabia against any threat, citing the Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence agreement and declaring that “any enemy of Saudi Arabia is an enemy of Pakistan” amid renewed tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi group.
According to Al Jazeera, Asif condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and said Islamabad had no doubt that the group was committing aggression against the Kingdom. He reiterated that Pakistan would support Riyadh in the event of any threat to its security.
“There is absolutely no doubt in our mind that Houthis are committing aggression against Saudi Arabia, and we are there to help Saudi Arabia in any conflict,” Asif said.
Pakistan Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement Commits Islamabad to Support Riyadh
The defence minister’s remarks came amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis following fresh cross-border attacks.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah trilateral agreement on August 7, establishing a framework for collective security and defence cooperation among the three countries. The agreement, later referred to as the Makkah Defence Alliance, states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three.
Asif said the agreement means Pakistan would make available its resources to Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom’s security comes under threat.
“We’ll be there to defend them,” he said, adding that whatever means were available to Pakistan would also be available to Saudi Arabia under the arrangement.
Pakistan Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement and Houthi Attacks
The Houthis have carried out repeated missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia since announcing a naval blockade on the Kingdom in July. According to the information provided, the group has also targeted Saudi-linked vessels operating in the Red Sea.
The attacks have reportedly included Saudi airports, energy facilities and other strategic infrastructure, while Saudi air defence systems have intercepted many of the projectiles.
Asif said Pakistan considers threats to Saudi Arabia a security concern for Islamabad.
“As far as Houthis are concerned, they are enemies of Saudi Arabia. Any enemy of Saudi Arabia is an enemy of Pakistan,” he said.
Asif Comments on Iran and the Houthis
Commenting on Iran’s relationship with the Houthis, Asif said Tehran does not acknowledge the group as its proxy. He added that armed groups initially supported by states can sometimes develop into independent actors.
Also Read: Pakistan Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement: Asif Says Any Enemy of Riyadh Is an Enemy of Pakistan
“Iranians are not accepting them as their proxy,” Asif said, while noting that some groups can eventually become independent or “rogue” entities.
Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Saudi Arabia
Earlier this month, Asif said the situation had reached a point where the Makkah agreement needed to be implemented following an attempted drone attack near the holy city.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath on September 16, Asif said Pakistan was bound by the agreement but did not disclose its details.
He also stressed that Pakistan did not require an agreement to protect the holy sites, describing their protection as a duty regardless of the Makkah agreement.
“If Makkah is attacked, there is no need for an agreement to protect it,” Asif said.
