Pakistan Plays Down Yemen War Role
Pakistan said the Makkah Defence Alliance still needs formal mechanisms before any operational role, as officials rejected speculation about immediate military action.
- On Thursday, the Foreign Office sought to temper speculation about activating the Makkah Defence Alliance, stating there is currently no discussion of military action despite intensifying conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
- Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as an "umbrella agreement" that is "purely for defensive purposes," focused on consolidating institutional mechanisms before operationalization.
- Khan's comments followed remarks by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who previously suggested the pact could be activated if Houthi conflict threatened Saudi Arabia, fueling speculation Pakistan could be drawn militarily into the confrontation.
- The spokesperson ruled out immediate expansion of the alliance, stating "expansion... is not on the cards" because current members must first solidify their organization before considering new partners like Egypt, Algeria, or Iran.
- Islamabad maintains a delicate diplomatic balance, consistently advocating for dialogue to resolve regional disputes while deepening its strategic relationship with Riyadh and supporting international efforts to end the Yemen conflict.
15 Articles
15 Articles
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After Makkah defence pact, Saudi signs $200M energy deal with Taliban, leaving Pakistan under pressure
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Pakistan declines to back Saudi Arabia against Ansar Allah despite defense pact
Pakistan has declined to assist Saudi Arabia against Ansar Allah, despite the military alliance the two signed in August, Reuters reports.According to the agency, Pakistani authorities said no discussions have taken place regarding a military response...
Houthis attack four regions in Saudi Arabia
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