Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Pakistan rejects Saudi war role as Houthi Red Sea gains
Pakistan has a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, but it says it will not send soldiers into Yemen to fight the Houthis.
The agreement may require help if Saudi Arabia itself is attacked.
The Houthis have captured important places near a narrow sea passage called Bab el-Mandeb.
Many ships and oil shipments normally travel through this passage.
The Houthis say they will attack Saudi ships but not other ships.
Saudi Arabia asked the United States for military help, but the United States reportedly declined to launch direct strikes.
Some ships are now taking a much longer route around Africa.
Pakistan is trying to use diplomacy with Iran to reduce the fighting.
If the Houthis attack Saudi territory more directly, Pakistan may face a harder decision.
Pakistan says it will not send troops to help Saudi Arabia retake Houthi-held territory in Yemen.
The Houthis reportedly seized Mocha, Perim Island and Dhubab near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The advances could threaten a maritime chokepoint carrying about 7% of global oil production.
Saudi Arabia reportedly asked the United States to strike the Houthis, but President Donald Trump refused.
Pakistan may pursue diplomacy through Iran while avoiding a military confrontation under its Saudi defence pact.
- Who
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the Houthi movement, Iran, Türkiye and the United States are central actors.
- What
- Pakistan has rejected joining a Saudi offensive in Yemen, while Houthi gains threaten shipping near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- When
- The developments followed the Mecca defence agreement reached about a month earlier; reported urgent calls occurred on Thursday, and satellite imagery was reported on Friday.
- Where
- The fighting is centered along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, around Mocha, Perim Island, Dhubab and Bab el-Mandeb, with possible effects on Saudi Arabia and international shipping routes.
- Why
- The Houthis are seeking to pressure Saudi Arabia, while Pakistan wants to avoid being drawn into a wider war and may pursue diplomacy through Iran.
Avoid wider military involvement
Support stronger military action
Pakistan’s role
Avoid wider military involvement
Pakistan says no plans have been discussed to send forces into Yemen and appears to interpret its agreement as primarily defensive.
Support stronger military action
Saudi Arabia could argue that intensifying Houthi attacks on its territory, energy infrastructure or civilians should trigger stronger support under the defence agreement.
United States response
Avoid wider military involvement
The Trump administration wants to avoid opening another military front while its forces focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Support stronger military action
Saudi Arabia reportedly sought direct US strikes against the Houthis to protect shipping and respond to the group’s advances.
How to address the conflict
Avoid wider military involvement
Pakistan may seek a diplomatic solution by asking Iran to use its influence over the Houthis and by negotiating between Saudi Arabia and the group.
Support stronger military action
The Houthis’ reported attacks, maritime blockade and gains near Bab el-Mandeb could lead supporters of military action to favor strikes or expanded regional involvement.
- Defence agreement
- The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement treats an attack on one signatory as an attack on all three: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
- Reported Pakistani deployment
- Pakistan is believed to have about 8,000 troops, 16 aircraft and two drone squadrons in Saudi Arabia.
- Houthi territorial gains
- The Houthis reportedly captured Mocha, Perim Island and Dhubab along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
- Strategic waterway
- Bab el-Mandeb is about 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point and connects the Red Sea and Suez Canal with the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
- Oil exposure
- Oil equivalent to about 7% of global production normally passes through the waterway.
- United States position
- Washington reportedly declined direct military action but offered intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia.
- Market impact
- Brent crude was reported to be on track for a weekly gain of more than 9%, while some Saudi tankers were taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.