Pakistan Expands Military Role Against Houthis in Yemen With Airstrikes
Pakistan has expanded its military involvement in Yemen, deploying fighter jets and thousands of troops to assist Saudi Arabia against Houthi forces amid regional alliances.
Pakistan is deepening its military involvement in the conflict against the Houthis in Yemen, with Pakistani Air Force fighter jets participating in strikes against rebel targets, according to The New York Times, citing a senior Pakistani military official. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of operational information, confirmed that Pakistani jets are being used in offensive operations against the Houthis.
Regional Escalation and Saudi Alliance
Meanwhile, Saudi-owned Al-Hadath reported that sources in Al-Hudaydah indicated fresh strikes targeting Houthi bases. Sources in Sanaa claimed targeted strikes on a Houthi camp in the Bani Matar area and mountainous ridges in Mukeiras, within the Al-Bayda Governorate. According to Colonel David O. Smith, a former US military attaché in Pakistan and senior intelligence official, analysts estimate that approximately 8,000 Pakistani troops have already been deployed to Saudi territory.
The Pakistani contingent includes air force personnel and air defense units tasked with protecting Saudi oil and energy infrastructure from Houthi missiles and drones. However, analysts assess that Pakistani troops will likely avoid direct ground combat to maintain a delicate diplomatic balance between supporting Riyadh and avoiding severe friction with Iran.
Strategic Shifts and Regional Diplomacy
"Pakistan's role is expected to focus on degrading Houthi missile and drone capabilities through aerial support rather than joining a ground invasion inside Yemen," noted a senior Pakistani defense official.
This marks a significant escalation beyond logistical and intelligence support, coinciding with a newly formed military alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. Additionally, reports indicate that Saudi Arabia and Syria are discussing the potential deployment of tens of thousands of Syrian troops to Yemen, though a final decision is still pending.
