Khawaja Asif condemns Houthi attacks, reaffirms Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia

His comments came after renewed cross-border attacks and followed the signing of the Makkah trilateral agreement by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7.

The agreement, later referred to as the Makkah Defence Alliance, provides for collective security and defence cooperation, stipulating that an armed attack on one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all. Also Read:PM reaffirms solidarity with Saudi Arabia, flays Houthi attacks.

The Houthis have carried out repeated missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia since announcing a naval blockade on the Kingdom in July. The group has also targeted Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea, as well as airports, energy facilities and other strategic infrastructure.

Saudi air defence systems have intercepted many of the projectiles. Asif said the agreement meant Pakistan would make its available resources accessible to Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom’s security came under threat. “We’ll be there to defend them,” he said, stressing that whatever means were available to Pakistan would also be available to Saudi Arabia under the arrangement.

Addressing Iran’s relationship with the Houthis, Asif said Tehran did not acknowledge the group as its proxy. He noted that armed groups initially supported by states could eventually become independent actors.