Pakistan Warns Iran Over Houthi Missile Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities
Pakistan has warned Iran to rein in Houthi rebels after they launched ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities. The warning was conveyed by Pakistan to Iran following a series of escalating attacks by Houthis this week, sources in Islamabad said.
The Houthi rebels fired missiles into the southern parts of Saudi Arabia, prompting airstrikes by the kingdom. This development has opened up a new front in the Middle East war as the United States continued to target Iranian territory and naval assets around the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan, which has been mediating between the US and Iran since March this year, entered into a bilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last year. The country also participated in a trilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which considers an attack on any of the countries as an attack against all three.
Pakistan deployed its air force, fighter jets, and ground troops to defend Saudi Arabia under the bilateral agreement. However, it is unlikely that Pakistani Air Force will take part in Saudi forces' air sorties against Houthis in Yemen.