Pakistan Deploys 30,000 to 40,000 Troops to Saudi Arabia

According to EcoIran, citing Fars News, Pakistan has deployed between 30,000 and 40,000 of its troops to Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions between Riyadh and Sanaa, to help defend the kingdom's land borders against attacks by Yemen's armed forces. Pakistan, which is obligated to defend Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed on August 7, 2026 (16 Mordad 1405), has gradually sent these forces in stages since last year. A Pakistani official told Reuters the troops will not take part in military operations inside Yemeni territory. Islamabad has also supplied military equipment, including air defense systems, light artillery, drones and anti-drone gear, sending four cargo planes to Aden last month. The deployment comes as Saudi Arabia reportedly prepares a possible military operation against Yemeni forces around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key chokepoint for oil shipments between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.