Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security as outlined in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), in response to repeated missile attacks by Houthi forces on the kingdom. The prime minister condemned the assaults targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, which resulted in civilian casualties.
Saudi civil aviation authorities, at least three people were killed and numerous others injured in attacks on the two airports amid escalating conflict in Yemen between Houthi rebels and government forces. One attack occurred on October 6 and the other on October 7, though officials did not specify which attack happened on which date. The Riyadh airport strike killed one person and wounded eight, while the Abha airport attack caused two deaths and 28 injuries.
PM Shehbaz praised the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi armed forces and the coalition for intercepting multiple ballistic missiles, highlighting their relentless efforts to protect civilians and critical infrastructure. He emphasized Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s leadership and people, stating, “In line with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and recent decisions by its Strategic Political and Defence Committee, our commitment to the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security remains resolute.”
The prime minister underscored Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to defend its population and vital assets. He also urged the Houthi militia to immediately halt these attacks, affirming that Pakistan will continue to stand firmly alongside Saudi Arabia against such threats.
These remarks follow an emergency MJDA meeting held in Riyadh on October 6, where Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey agreed on the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia under approved arrangements and respective national laws. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later confirmed that Pakistan and Turkey are providing support to Saudi operations against the Houthis in Yemen, primarily in reconnaissance and other supportive roles, while Saudi forces conduct the combat operations.
“Both Pakistan and Turkey have a presence here, offering assistance as needed, but the fighting is carried out by the Saudi army,” the defence minister stated during a television interview. This collaboration reflects the ongoing strategic partnership among the three nations to enhance regional security and counter Houthi aggression.
