Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate defence pact, Pakistan says - Al Jazeera

**Houthi Attacks Prompt Pakistan to Cite Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia**

Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi movement has stepped up its aerial campaign against Saudi Arabia, striking oil processing facilities in the kingdom’s eastern region and launching missile and drone attacks that have disrupted production and heightened regional tensions. Saudi officials have condemned the attacks as violations of international law and have called for a coordinated response from allied nations. The escalation comes amid a broader pattern of Houthi operations aimed at pressuring the Saudi-led coalition that has been involved in Yemen’s civil war since 2015.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to the bilateral security agreement signed with Saudi Arabia in 2022, stating that a sustained Houthi assault could trigger the activation of the pact. The agreement, often described as a “defence cooperation” framework, allows for the deployment of Pakistani military assets to support Saudi defence if the kingdom’s sovereignty is threatened. A senior Pakistani diplomat told Al Jazeera that “Pakistan stands ready to honour its obligations under the pact and will take all necessary measures to safeguard Saudi security.”

India, a close strategic partner of Saudi Arabia and a major energy importer, issued a separate condemnation of the Houthi attacks, labeling them “unacceptable” and urging an immediate cease‑fire. New Delhi’s statement, released through the Ministry of External Affairs and echoed by media outlets such as *The Hindu* and NDTV, highlighted concerns over the potential impact on global oil markets and maritime trade routes. While India has not invoked any defence treaty, its diplomatic response underscores the broader international unease over the growing volatility in the Gulf region.