Pakistan’s top political and military leadership will join Saudi and Turkish officials in Riyadh as regional tensions rise following Yemen’s military offensive against the Houthis.
Pakistan’s top political and military leadership will participate in a key strategic political and defence meeting in Riyadh on Monday, October 5, as fighting intensifies in Yemen following the launch of a major military operation against the Houthi movement.
The meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee is being held under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are scheduled to attend.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting will review the rapidly changing regional situation and discuss ongoing cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are also expected to participate.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s participation reflects its continued commitment to promoting regional peace, security and stability.
Ishaq Dar has already arrived in Saudi Arabia and reached Madinah before travelling to Riyadh for the meeting. He was received by Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s consul general in Jeddah, officials of the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Madinah branch and Saudi royal protocol representatives.
During his visit to Madinah, Dar offered prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque for Pakistan’s peace, prosperity and the welfare of its people, as well as peace and stability across the Muslim world and the region. He also visited Mount Uhud and paid tribute to the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud before departing for Riyadh.
The meeting comes a day after Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced the launch of a major military operation against the Houthis.
Yemeni Presidential Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi directed the armed forces to carry out their responsibilities and continue operations according to approved military plans.
The stated objective of the operation is to retake areas controlled by the Houthis, restore the authority of the Yemeni state and its institutions, and regain control over the remaining parts of the country.
Reuters has reported that Saudi Arabia is expected to lead air operations, while Yemeni forces will conduct ground operations. The United States is reportedly providing intelligence support to Saudi Arabia, while some regional and European countries are providing mainly defensive military assistance.
Heavy fighting has also been reported in Yemen’s Taiz province and surrounding areas. Media reports said more than 70 people were killed during clashes over the previous 24 hours, although casualty figures from the rival sides have not been independently verified.
The escalation comes amid continuing exchanges of attacks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, adding to concerns over the broader regional security situation.
Table of Contents
