Yemen mission: Saudis unfazed by Pakistan’s possible non-participation

Pakistan’s non-participation in the operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen will not affect ‘Operation Decisive Storm’, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition said on Friday, according to Al Arabiya News.

Speaking to reporters, Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri said Pakistan’s participation in ‘Operation Decisive Storm’ would be an ‘addition to the coalition’. However, he said, the Pakistani government has not yet announced its official position.

Asiri’s comments came hours after Pakistan’s parliament adopted a resolution, urging the government to stay out of the Yemen conflict.


Asiri further added that Houthi militia were using schools and playing fields as shelters, as well as stores for ammunition and utilising tunnels to move supplies.

 

Read: Yemen conundrum: Pakistan tells Iran about Saudi fears

He informed that coalition airstrikes targeted a recreation ground in Aden where Houthi militia and forces allied to the deposed Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh stored ammunition and weapons.

With increasing tension in Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition, Pakistan has been in a conundrum about whether to join the coalition or not. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on several occasions vowed that Pakistan would go to any length to protect the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia should any threat come to it.

Read: Will of parliament: 'Stay out of Yemen conflict'

Pakistan was in unison about the importance of its ties with the Kingdom and also expressed concern about the overthrow of Yemen's legitimate government by "non-state actors".

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2015.