Pakistan refuses to help Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthis

Pakistan has refused to help Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthis, despite the military alliance concluded in August, Reuters reports.

Islamabad stated that a Pakistani military response to the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia under the Mecca agreement is not currently being discussed. "When the time comes, we will act in accordance with the agreement," said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan, responding to a question about Islamabad's fulfillment of its obligations under the joint defense agreement with Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement, concluded by the three countries in August, stipulates that an armed attack on one of the participants is considered an attack on all. The question of Pakistan's possible involvement arose after the Houthis struck Saudi Arabian cities and energy infrastructure facilities.

Pakistan condemned the Houthi attacks but did not specify what actions it might take under the defense agreement. Earlier, Reuters reported that Islamabad had called on Iran to restrain its allied Yemeni Houthis after they intensified their attacks on the kingdom.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman also stated that Islamabad is not currently considering the possibility of expanding the Mecca alliance.

On September 8, at least 73 people, including women and children, were injured as a result of attacks by the Yemeni movement Ansar Allah on Saudi Arabian cities. According to SPA, civilian and economic facilities in four cities of the kingdom were hit. These are Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, and Najran.

On August 28, The New York Times, citing sources, wrote that Saudi Arabia is preparing to resume a large-scale war against the Houthis. According to the newspaper, tensions rose sharply after several weeks of Houthi attacks on Saudi vessels, airports, and oil facilities. The NYT noted that a new round of war could open another front in the confrontation between the United States and Iran, which remains the Houthis' main ally.

Source: Vedomosti