Pakistan Will Turn Against The Saudis At The End (Dan 8:8)

How Long Can Pakistan Avoid Joining Saudi-Led Attacks On Yemen’s Houthis?

By Zodeen Ibrahim

KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government is trying to figure out how to stay in the good graces of Saudi Arabia, a key ally which has sought Pakistani military assistance, without inserting itself into the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthis in Yemen.

The Iran-backed Houthis took over Yemen’s capital city, Sanaa, six months ago and now control much of the impoverished country on the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia launched overnight air strikes on March 26 (local time) in coordination with a coalition of Arab powers in a bid to restore power to Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who resigned in January and fled to Saudi Arabia on March 25.

Saudi Arabia announced on March 26 that Pakistan and Sudan would also be joining the coalition, and a senior Pakistani official made a similar claim on March 30. Yet Pakistan’s foreign ministry has denied each of those claims, asserting that Islamabad is still reviewing its options.

Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif, accompanied by top military and civilian personnel, arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday to “better understand” the Saudi-led “Operation Decisive Storm” in Yemen.

An official communique issued by Sharif’s office on Thursday warned of a strong response from Pakistan in light of “any isolation of Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity.” It also condemned the “non-state actors” in Yemen that have moved to overthrow a legitimate government and called on all parties to work toward a peaceful resolution.

Further, the statement said all decisions on the matter would be taken in keeping with the wishes of the people of Pakistan and called for a joint session of parliament to convene on April 6.

On Friday, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia. Speaking from Ankara, where he met with the Turkish prime minister to discuss the unfolding crisis in Yemen, Sharif declared, “We have agreed to extend all possible support for the defense of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”