Pakistan Denies Reports of PAF Fighter Jets Attacking Houthis in Yemen
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan has rejected reports that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets are being used to attack Houthi targets in Yemen, describing the allegations as fabricated and reaffirming the defensive nature of its military cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
The clarification came on Thursday, October 8, amid growing international attention to Pakistan’s possible military role following the activation of a trilateral defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected a claim published in an American newspaper on October 7 that Pakistani fighter aircraft were being employed against the Houthis.
The report had cited an unnamed senior Pakistani military official and suggested that Pakistan’s role could involve air operations to counter Houthi missile and drone threats.
The ministry dismissed the claim and urged international media organisations to avoid speculation about how Pakistani military capabilities might be deployed under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
It added that relevant authorities would announce details of any military deployment if necessary.
The denial followed confirmation by Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, that Pakistani personnel were already stationed in Saudi Arabia.
The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations explained that Pakistani forces had maintained a presence in the kingdom for decades and operated in several capacities.
However, he did not disclose the number of personnel, their specific responsibilities or whether additional forces would be deployed.
The presence of Pakistani military personnel in Saudi Arabia does not establish their participation in offensive operations inside Yemen.
The issue has gained importance following a meeting of the trilateral alliance’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh on October 5.
During the meeting, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye agreed to move towards the rapid deployment of military capabilities and personnel under their collective defence arrangements.
No troop numbers, deployment timetable or detailed operational assignments were announced.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also clarified that Ankara was considering assistance to Saudi Arabia, particularly in air defence, but did not intend to participate in offensive military operations.
The Makkah agreement treats an armed attack against one participating country as an attack against all three.
Nevertheless, collective defence commitments do not automatically confirm participation in military strikes beyond Saudi territory.
The latest clarification comes as Houthi missile and drone attacks continue to heighten security concerns across the region.
Pakistan has not announced any PAF combat mission against Houthi positions in Yemen, and the reported involvement of its fighter jets remains disputed.
