Pakistan is mulling to carry out airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen following a request from Saudi Arabia, according to security sources, as Islamabad considers operationalizing its defense pact with the kingdom, EFE reports.
The development came a day after Houthi militants attacked civilian and economic targets in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones.
Houthi militia hit the kingdom’s Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran regions, targeting civilian and energy facilities which left more than 70 people injured.
“Currently, Pakistan is considering carrying out airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen from Saudi soil,” a high-ranking security official told EFE, requesting not to be named.
The official, however, said that the decision to make such a move public has not been taken yet.
“There will be no way to confirm whether the strikes have been carried out by us or the Saudis unless it is made public” the official added.
Pakistan currently has more than 10,000 troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, security sources previously told EFE, though it remains unclear whether any fighter jets are deployed there.
The official refused to provide information on the previous or future deployment of Pakistani jets in Saudi Arabia.
