OMM Redaksiyası
Pakistan has described the situation around the Bab al-Mandab Strait as “extremely serious” and called for dialogue and diplomacy. The statement came as attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi Arabia intensified.
Speaking at a briefing on Sept. 17, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Islamabad was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, including the ongoing Houthi attacks.
“The situation in Bab al-Mandab is extremely serious and concerning. We must bring peace to the entire region,” the spokesperson said.
Islamabad urged the Houthis to halt their attacks. Pakistan said the focus should be on restoring peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy rather than coercive measures.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is a major route for international maritime trade and energy supplies. Pakistan is also continuing its diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
Pakistan says it will defend Saudi Arabia
Alongside its diplomatic position, Pakistan reaffirmed its explicit commitment to defending Riyadh. In an interview with Arab News, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, said Pakistan fully supported Saudi Arabia both diplomatically and practically.
He said Pakistan would go “to any extent” to protect Saudi Arabia’s security and the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. According to him, Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security was “unconditional.”
The Pakistani army’s media wing said the country was already present in Saudi Arabia to help defend the Kingdom and would continue to protect it against aggression.
Houthis deny drone attack toward Mecca
The statements followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that it had intercepted a Houthi drone attack directed toward restricted airspace around Mecca. The Houthis denied Riyadh’s report.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also expressed concern over attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. Islamabad highlighted the potential impact of such attacks on regional peace, maritime navigation and global energy supplies.
Defense agreements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Pakistan’s commitments are based on two defense agreements. The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Aug. 7. Islamabad has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing both agreements in terms of their intent and substance.
Pakistan has declined to provide details on when, how and where its forces could be deployed, citing operational confidentiality. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said this week that the three countries were working on a mechanism to determine those details.
Islamabad has said the Mecca agreement is defensive in nature, is not directed against any country and does not create a new bloc. Pakistan’s main priority is to uphold its defense commitments to Riyadh while preventing further escalation.
