Pakistan says it will use 'whatever means are available' to defend Saudi Arabia

ROME, Sep 30 : Pakistan has signalled that it could provide direct military support to Saudi Arabia amid an escalation in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants, with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif saying Islamabad would use "whatever means are available" to defend the kingdom.

Speaking to reporters in Rome, Asif referred to the new mutual defence arrangement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, saying Islamabad was committed to supporting Riyadh under the pact.

"I'm not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they'll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that's a categoric statement," local media news reported Asif as saying.

Asif stopped short of confirming whether Pakistani forces would take part in airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and did not say whether Saudi Arabia had formally requested military assistance.

But he made Pakistan's position clear, saying: "Any enemy of Saudi Arabia is enemy of Pakistan. That should be very clear."

Pakistan's military leadership has also reiterated its commitment to the kingdom. Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would do "everything in its power" to support Saudi Arabia, describing the commitment as "unconditional".

Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia "diplomatically and physically", he said, adding that Islamabad was prepared to go to "any extent" if necessary.

The remarks came days after the army chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Riyadh to discuss the security situation and the response to Houthi attacks.

Asif said the Houthis intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and expanded their presence along Yemen's Red Sea coast. He said the militants had captured the strategic port city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands, bringing them closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major global shipping route.

The Houthis have also targeted Saudi oil facilities and attempted to disrupt Saudi tanker traffic through the strait, according to Asif.

The Mecca agreement brings together Saudi Arabia, Turkey, a NATO member, and nuclear-armed Pakistan. (UNI)