Pakistan confirms its readiness to take all measures to defend Saudi Arabia

Pakistan affirmed its readiness to take all necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia, in light of the current circumstances, based on the joint strategic defense agreement between the two countries and the “Mecca Pact,” stressing that Pakistan’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security is “non-negotiable.”

Pakistani army spokesman, General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the practical implementation phase of the “Mecca Pact” commitments includes taking measures that allow the rapid deployment of agreed-upon military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia. Chaudhry revealed the presence of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia, operating in various capacities, and whose main tasks are to provide defense support, exercises and maneuvers. The spokesman explained that the meeting of representatives of the “Mecca Alliance” and Iran, in Tehran on October 26, came with the aim of setting a framework for reducing escalation and enhancing regional cooperation, stressing Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Chaudhry added that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan seek to continue defense cooperation to protect each other's sovereignty. Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed 3 cruise missiles launched by the Houthi militias towards Riyadh, and two drones in the Makkah and Southern regions, yesterday (Wednesday). The Yemeni government forces expanded their military operations against the Houthi group as part of Operation “Yemen Dawn” on the Ma’rib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, Lahj, Al-Dhalea and Hajjah fronts. The Yemeni army announced the implementation of 874 attacks within 24 hours, which it said resulted in the killing and wounding of about 190 Houthis and the destruction or damage of 130 combat vehicles and means. In western Lahj, the Giants and Homeland Shield forces confronted Houthi attacks, amid the displacement of families from the seam areas towards Aden and safer areas. Government forces thwarted an attempt to detonate two explosive devices camouflaged as sandstones, planted on both sides of the international road linking Ma'rib and the Al-Abr region, leading to the border crossing with Saudi Arabia. Military sources said that engineering teams dismantled the two devices between the Al-Ruwaik and Al-Dhuwaibi areas, and secured the road without causing casualties.