Pakistan Deploys Thousands of Troops to Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, …
Pakistan has deployed approximately 40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia, with the stated purpose of protecting the kingdom’s borders and aiding in the defense against missile and drone assaults. This significant military presence, reported by Reuters citing a Pakistani official, indicates a deepening defense cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The deployment of these forces occurred in several phases, commencing last year, with a portion of the troops dispatched following recent escalations in regional conflicts. An unnamed Pakistani official clarified that the troops are stationed to defend Saudi Arabia’s land borders and to assist in intercepting missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The official emphasized that Pakistan has not yet made a decision to deploy its military personnel to Yemen for combat roles.
This development comes as Saudi Arabia has sought defensive assistance from allied nations to counter Houthi missile and drone attacks and safeguard its vital oil infrastructure. Reports from Reuters also indicate that Pakistan, along with Turkey, has supplied Saudi Arabia with military equipment. In the past month, Pakistan reportedly sent four cargo planes carrying equipment, including air defense systems, light artillery, drones, and counter-drone systems, to Aden.
Furthermore, Pakistani military advisors are reportedly working alongside Saudi forces to support Yemeni troops. These deployments follow the signing of a joint defense agreement in Mecca between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey in August.
The recent Reuters report also alludes to a potential Saudi operation targeting Yemeni armed forces, possibly aimed at reclaiming coastal areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This potential operation could involve over 100,000 Yemeni personnel, though a precise start date remains undisclosed.
Analysts suggest that Pakistan’s increased military presence in Saudi Arabia should be viewed within the context of expanding bilateral defense cooperation and the escalating threat of missile and drone attacks in the region. However, the report distinguishes between troop deployment for defensive missions in Saudi Arabia and engagement in combat operations in Yemen, clarifying that the presence of 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia does not signify their formal entry into ground combat in Yemen.
