The New York Times has reported, citing a Pakistani military official, that Pakistani Air Force fighter jets are participating in Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
According to the report, David Smith, a former analyst at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, said that estimates by analysts suggest approximately 8,000 Pakistani troops are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia. He noted that these forces include Air Force personnel and air defence troops, who are primarily deployed to protect Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and help prevent attacks on them.
Another Pakistani official said that Islamabad’s role is limited to providing air support against Houthi missile and drone attacks, adding that Pakistan is not participating in ground operations in Yemen.
According to the report, analysts believe Pakistan is seeking to avoid direct ground combat with the Houthis in order to preserve its diplomatic relations with Iran. The Pakistani military has declined to comment on the matter.
However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected The New York Times report, describing claims that the Pakistani Air Force has been deployed against the Houthis as “fake and fabricated.”
The report comes after Houthi forces claimed responsibility for attacks on two airports in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said that at least three people were killed and 36 others injured in the attacks.
According to reports, the Saudi-led military coalition responded by launching airstrikes against Houthi military positions and missile stockpiles in Yemen.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
