Pakistan pledges unconditional defense of Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has pledged to defend Saudi Arabia "to any extent" required, with its top military spokesperson declaring the commitment unconditional and physical amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, made the remarks in an interview published on September 18. "We will go to any extent for the security of Grand Mosque and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Chaudhry said. "To any extent as asked and required by our Saudi brothers." He emphasized that Pakistan fully stands with Saudi Arabia "both diplomatically and physically," adding that the commitment covers the protection of Islam's two holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah. "Our commitment to Saudi security is unconditional. It stems from a deep-rooted, historical and unbreakable bond between the people of Pakistan and the people of Saudi Arabia," he said. The pledge comes as fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has intensified. Saudi authorities said on September 16 that air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city's prohibited airspace.