Pakistan rejects report claiming PAF jets deployed against Houthis

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information has rejected as “fake and fabricated” a report claiming that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets were being used against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The ministry responded on Thursday to a report published by The New York Times, which cited an unnamed source as saying that PAF aircraft were involved in operations against the Houthis amid rising tensions between the group and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement posted on social media, the ministry categorically denied the claim and urged international media organisations to avoid speculative reports about the deployment of Pakistani military forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The ministry said any details regarding the deployment of Pakistani forces, if required, would be announced by the relevant authorities.

The denial comes amid growing military tensions in the region and renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

Earlier this week, the ministry had also rejected reports suggesting that Pakistan was preparing to deploy between 30,000 and 40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia, describing such claims as speculative.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye recently agreed to move towards the practical implementation of their collective defence commitments under the Makkah Defence Alliance. The three countries decided to ensure the availability and rapid deployment of agreed military capabilities in Saudi Arabia in accordance with their respective laws and arrangements.

The defence agreement, signed in August, seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and provides for an attack on one member to be treated as an attack on all.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif previously said Pakistan and Turkiye had a presence in the regional theatre but clarified that Saudi forces were currently conducting combat operations.

Inter-Services Public Relations chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also confirmed that Pakistani troops are stationed in Saudi Arabia, noting that Pakistani personnel have been serving there for decades in different capacities.

Meanwhile, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have intensified. The Houthis have claimed attacks on Saudi targets, while Saudi-led forces have carried out strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.

The Houthis recently claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting Riyadh’s main international airport. Saudi authorities said attacks on two airports had killed three people and injured 36 others.

Saudi-led forces said they had destroyed the missile launch platform used in the Riyadh attack.

Pakistan has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its commitment to the kingdom’s security. Pakistani officials have stressed, however, that the Makkah Defence Alliance is defensive and focused on collective deterrence.

Islamabad has maintained that any military role would be determined according to the terms of the agreement and the decisions of the relevant authorities.