Pakistan intervenes on a limited scale in Yemen dispute

By
PakistanToday
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7
158
ISLAMABAD: 

Pakistan claims that it will consider deploying ‘limited number of its troops’ inside Saudi Arabia if its territorial integrity comes under threat in the wake of any backlash against its intervention in Yemen.

The offer was made by a high-powered Pakistani delegation during its talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, informed an official.

The delegation, headed by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, is in the Saudi capital to assess the current situation in Yemen and discuss the assistance that Pakistan could possibly extend.

Other members of the delegation include Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem, Director General Military Operations Maj Gen Amir Riaz and senior officials from Pakistan’s air force and navy.

The composition of the delegation suggests that Pakistan is ready to meet the defence requirements of Saudi Arabia in the current situation. The delegation was received by Saudi Defence Minister Muhammad Salman, who later held talks with Pakistani officials.

The delegation is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, as well as representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on the Yemeni crisis.

Pakistan is reluctant to commit troops for the Saudi-led military coalition against Houthi rebels as it fears the move would complicate its relationship with neighbouring Iran. Tehran is believed to have already voiced its concerns and urged Islamabad to stay away from the Middle East crisis. On Monday, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi told a private news channel that Islamabad would not become part of any ‘proxy war’ between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the civil and military leadership decided not to join the military coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen for the time being and instead launch a diplomatic offensive to facilitate a political solution to the crises.At the same time, they agreed that if the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia comes under threat, then Pakistan will extend all possible help including deployment of troops.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. well, pakistan need to stay away from this crises, iran will start a proxy war with us in afghanistan , as they did it in the past

  2. well our govt need to stay away from this crises, iran will start a proxy war with us in balochistan, our government is laying to us, there is no scale, once our army enter , then there is no scale in war

  3. Govt needs to rid Pakistan of the menace called Taliban a creation of Saudi Arabia and being funded by Saudi Arabia rather than commit Pak army to an issue that doesn't concern us, unless it's payback time for the safe haven afforded to the Sharif family!

  4. When the next meal depends on the generosity of SA or USA, not much choice other than do their bidding.

  5. Ganja Hamarey maasoom jawaanoon ko inn maadarchood Araboon Ka Ghulam bana daigaa – bahenchood hai!

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