Houthi forces launch fresh missile attacks on southern Saudi Arabia
At a glance
- Houthi forces launch fresh missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi cities.
- Saudi-led coalition reports no casualties and vows an appropriate response.
- The attacks come as Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to a defence pact with Saudi Arabia.
Story so far
Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact, a trilateral collective security agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The pact treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. The confirmation comes as Houthi forces in Yemen have escalated their attacks, launching fresh missile and drone strikes against southern Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has previously condemned such attacks and maintains forces in the kingdom for training purposes.
Latest development
Houthi forces have launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed the attacks, reporting no casualties and vowing a response to protect the kingdom.
Latest updates
Fresh missile and drone attacks have been launched by Houthi forces in Yemen against southern cities in Saudi Arabia, according to reports on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, Major General Turki al-Maliki, confirmed that multiple ballistic missiles and drones targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan. He reported no casualties but stated that coalition forces would respond appropriately to protect the kingdom's sovereignty and citizens.
The escalation comes amid intensified fighting in Yemen, where Houthi forces have also reportedly captured the strategic Zaqar island in the Red Sea and the coastal city of Mokha. Separately, there are unconfirmed claims that the convoy of the internationally recognized Yemeni government's defense minister was attacked.
The Foreign Office on Thursday, September 10, confirmed that Pakistan will honor the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact signed with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
The statement reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the trilateral agreement.
During his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that the implementation of the defence pact would "take time," adding that more details about the cooperation would be revealed soon.
He also confirmed that Pakistani forces are currently present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, as part of ongoing bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.
Sources and updates
سعودی سالمیت کی حمایت جاری رکھیں گے، دفاعی معاہدہ چھتری کی حیثیت رکھتا ہے: پاکستان
ریاض+ صنعا+ دوحہ + اسلام آباد+ تہران (آئی این پی+ نوائے وقت رپورٹ ) یمن میں حوثیوں نے سعودی عرب کے جنوبی شہروں پر تازہ میزائل اور ڈرون حملے کیے ہیں جبکہ یمن کے وزیر دفاع طاہر العقیلی کے قافلے پر حملہ کرکے انہیں یرغمال بنانے کا دعویٰ بھی کیا ہے۔
پاک سعودیہ دفاعی تعاون جاری ہے، دفاعی معاہدے پر عملدرآمد کیلئے وقت درکار ہوگا: ترجمان دفتر خارجہ
ترجمان دفترخارجہ نے کہا ہےکہ پاکستان اور سعودی عرب کے درمیان دو طرفہ دفاعی تعاون جاری ہے اور دفاعی معاہدے پر عمل درآمد کے لیے وقت درکار ہوگا۔
FO says Makkah defence pact 'defensive' in nature, expansion currently 'not on the cards'
The Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday that the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye was “defensive” in nature, adding that expansion of the pact was currently “not on the cards”. FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan mad
Pakistan says no plan to expand Makkah pact for now, calls it defensive alliance
ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider on Thursday said the Makkah agreement, signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia…
Pakistan says Makkah alliance is defensive, its expansion not on the cards
ISLAMABAD: The Makkah agreement, signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia last month, is a “defensive alliance” and there are no plans to expand it at the moment, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday. The statement
Interesting that the focus is on consolidation first. I wonder what the detailed structure and procedures will look like. A clear framework is key for any defensive pact to be effective and not just symbolic.
It’s significant that a Pakistani will head the secretariat for the first three years. This could give Pakistan a key role in shaping the alliance’s initial operational framework and priorities. A big responsibility.
The emphasis on this being a ‘defensive’ pact is crucial. Hopefully, it serves as a deterrent and promotes regional stability, rather than drawing us into existing conflicts. Clear rules of engagement will be key.