13 hrs ago

Report: Pakistan Weighs Sending Up to 25,000 Troops to Saudi Arabia

Report: Pakistan Weighs Sending Up to 25,000 Troops to Saudi Arabia
Pakistan preparing to deploy up to 25,000 troops to Saudi Arabia amid rising Houthi threat: Report · firstpost.com

A news report says Pakistan may send more soldiers to Saudi Arabia.

It says as many as 25,000 could be deployed, while more than 15,000 Pakistani troops are already there.

Pakistan may also provide equipment such as air defence systems, rockets and drones.

The reported plans come as Saudi Arabia faces rising tensions with Houthi rebels based in Yemen.

The report says a joint defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not yet active.

It says the agreement could be activated after an emergency meeting in Riyadh.

These details come from an unnamed security source cited by CNN-News18.

The report describes possible plans, not a confirmed deployment.

Key facts

Potential Pakistani deployment
Up to 25,000 troops, according to an unnamed security source cited by CNN-News18.
Troops already present
More than 15,000 Pakistani troops are reportedly stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Reported equipment
Air defence systems, rockets and drones.
Agreement status
The report says the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement has not yet been activated.
Possible next step
An emergency meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Council is expected in Riyadh, after which the agreement could be fully activated, according to the source.
Reported security context
Rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

Quotes

Unnamed Pakistani security sources

Security sources cited by CNN-News18.

“Up to 25,000 Pakistani troops could be deployed to Saudi Arabia under the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.”
firstpost.com
“Top leaders of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to meet soon in Riyadh.”
firstpost.com

Sources

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