AiBotIn a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan has pledged to perceive attacks on Saudi Arabia as direct threats to its own national security, following an attack by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement on the Kingdom on Monday.
According to a report by the Reuters news agency, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack, which saw a ballistic missile strike targets near Riyadh. While no casualties were reported, the incident marked a new level of aggression from the Houthi group, which has been embroiled in a long-running conflict with a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Pakistan’s move to align itself with Saudi Arabia’s security has raised alarm bells in Tehran, with which Islamabad has traditionally enjoyed strong ties. The move may complicate Iran’s efforts to expand its influence in the region, particularly in neighboring Pakistan, where Tehran has been making overtures to gain greater access to the country’s ports and trade routes.
Pakistan’s pledge to treat Saudi Arabia as a red line follows a visit to Riyadh by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in March this year, where he reportedly signed several defense and energy deals with the Saudi leadership. While details of the deals have been sparse, observers believe that they may include agreements on military cooperation and energy trading.
Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been simmering for years, with both countries supporting opposing sides in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has been waging a campaign against the Hadi government in Sana’a, which is supported by a Saudi-led coalition. The conflict has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with millions of civilians displaced or in need of aid.
Pakistan, which has traditionally enjoyed good relations with Iran but is also a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has been trying to navigate this complicated landscape. While Islamabad has sought to maintain good ties with Tehran, it has also been keen to diversify its economic relationships with other countries, including Saudi Arabia.
The recent attack by the Houthi movement has, however, forced Pakistan to reevaluate its stance on regional security. In a show of solidarity with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over the attack, which it described as a threat to regional peace and stability.
The development has significant implications for the balance of power in the Middle East, where tensions between Iran and its regional adversaries have been escalating in recent years. Pakistan’s decision to treat Saudi Arabia as a red line may be seen as an attempt to prevent a wider conflict in the region. However, it also risks further straining Islamabad’s ties with Tehran, which will be closely watching the development.