ISLAMABAD/RIYADH (MNN); Pakistan’s Ministry of Information on Thursday rejected as “fake and fabricated” a report claiming that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft were being used in military operations against Yemen’s Houthi movement.
A report published by The New York Times on October 7 cited an unnamed source as saying that PAF fighter jets were being employed against the Houthis amid escalating tensions between the group and Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Information strongly denied the claim in a post on X, saying the report attributing the use of PAF aircraft against the Houthis was “fake and fabricated”.
The ministry urged international media organisations to avoid speculative reporting regarding the employment of Pakistani military forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
“Details of any deployment, if necessary, will be given by the authorities concerned,” the ministry said.
Earlier, the ministry had also described a Reuters report claiming that between 30,000 and 40,000 Pakistani troops had been deployed to Saudi Arabia as speculative.
The clarification comes days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to move towards the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia during an emergency meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance in Riyadh.
The defence agreement, signed on August 7, is aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and provides for an attack against one signatory to be treated as an attack against all.
The Foreign Office said following Monday’s meeting that member states had decided to immediately implement their collective defence commitments and take necessary measures to provide agreed military forces and capabilities for rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with approved arrangements and national laws.
The move is intended to enhance military readiness, integration and the collective capacity to counter threats.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who attended the Riyadh meeting, later said in a television interview that Saudi Arabia had made gains against the Houthis and recovered some areas in Yemen.
Asked about a possible operational role for Pakistan and Turkiye, Asif said both countries had a “presence in theatre”, but Saudi forces alone were engaged in combat operations.
On Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani troops were present in Saudi Arabia and had been stationed there “for decades” across multiple domains.
Escalating Saudi-Houthi tensions
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have continued to rise, with the Houthis declaring a maritime blockade and targeting Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Both sides have reported attacks against each other.
On Thursday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike targeting Riyadh’s main international airport. Saudi authorities had a day earlier reported three deaths and 36 injuries following attacks on two international airports, including the capital’s airport.
A Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it had destroyed the ballistic missile launch platform used in the attack on Riyadh.
The Houthis control much of northwestern Yemen and are fighting Saudi-backed forces after Yemen’s civil war reignited in July. The group has captured areas along the coast, while Yemen’s internationally recognised government has announced a major counter-offensive.
The government said Houthi fighters had been pushed out of strategic positions along the Red Sea and around the port city of Mocha. The Houthis, however, maintain that they continue to hold their territory.
Reports of battlefield developments have been difficult to independently verify because of rapidly changing conditions and limited access for journalists.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. On September 18, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would go to “any extent” to defend the Gulf kingdom and described Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi security as unconditional.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia “practically and diplomatically” if the conflict escalates and would fulfil its obligations under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
At the same time, Pakistan has maintained that the alliance is defensive in nature and intended primarily to strengthen collective deterrence.
