Pakistan Air Force strikes Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen operation

Pakistan Air Force has carried out strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, according to reports from the region. The operation represents the first practical implementation of a defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, expanding Islamabad's military involvement in Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions.

The strikes underscore Pakistan's deepening security partnership with Riyadh. Islamabad currently maintains approximately 8,000 military personnel deployed in Saudi Arabia, supporting the kingdom's defence infrastructure and broader regional security framework.

The military action marks a significant diplomatic shift for Pakistan, as Islamabad has traditionally sought to balance its relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. By directly engaging Iranian-backed forces in Yemen, Pakistan has openly positioned itself in opposition to Tehran's regional influence, a departure from its earlier efforts to maintain neutrality in Sunni-Shia tensions.

The operation comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and broader regional instability. Yemen has been engulfed in conflict for nearly a decade, with Iranian-backed Houthis fighting against a Saudi-led coalition. Pakistan's participation signals heightened international coordination in response to the militant group's activities.

The strikes indicate that Pakistan views its Saudi partnership as taking precedence in its Middle Eastern foreign policy calculations, despite potential diplomatic complications with neighbouring Iran.