Saudi deployment

AI Summary

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to rapid deployment of allied forces in Saudi Arabia amid escalating conflict with Yemen’s Houthi movement. The article warns Pakistan against becoming involved in Yemen’s civil war and calls for a truce and a Yemen-led political process.

WITH confirmation that members of the Makkah Defence Alliance will be deploying their forces to Saudi Arabia, it appears that the kingdom is preparing for a full-scale war with the pro-Iran Houthi Ansarallah movement. Senior civil and military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye met in Riyadh on Monday to chart a course forward. Though details are sparse, the three defence allies agreed to ensure “rapid deployment in the Kingdom, in accordance with … the national legislation of the parties.” As collective defence is a central pillar of the trilateral alliance, such developments were expected. Members of the MDA also condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly alleged attempts to target the holy cities in Hejaz. It is hoped that, from Pakistan’s perspective, these developments only reflect a commitment to defend Saudi Arabia from outside aggression. It would be ill-advised for Pakistan, Turkiye or any other external actor to jump into the Yemeni quagmire. Pakistan has decades-old defence ties to the kingdom, and the pact only reflects a solidification of this relationship. The defence of the holy cities is also a sensitive matter, and Pakistan has in the past contributed troops to protect them. But getting dragged into the Yemeni civil war — which has pit Ansarallah against the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia — is another story altogether. There was considerable pressure on Pakistan in 2015 from Riyadh to get involved in its operation against the Houthis. Pakistan, thanks to the collective wisdom of parliament, at that time had wisely stayed away from any such undertaking. Similar wisdom is required at this juncture. This country values its deep ties with Saudi Arabia, and should do all it can to protect the kingdom from external aggression. But putting Pakistani boots on the ground in Yemen should be avoided. The fighting in Yemen, both between Ansarallah and the government, as well as between the Houthis and the Saudis, has intensified. At this point chances of a ceasefire seem remote. This conflict has been raging since 2015, and previous external attacks, including by the US and Israel, have failed to dislodge the Houthis. To prevent a fresh humanitarian catastrophe within Yemen, as well as the spread of this conflict across the region, there is an immediate need to end the hostilities. States such as Oman, which has channels open both with the Houthis as well as Saudi Arabia, can perhaps play a mediatory role. The basic requirements of a truce should include an end to all attacks on Saudi Arabia, free passage through Bab al-Mandeb, as well as a halt to all external attacks across Yemen. Only a political process led by Yemenis, and acceptable to all factions in the country, can bring internal peace, as well as guarantee the security of neighbouring states. Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026