Yemen conundrum: ‘Saudis will consult Pakistan before attack’

PM to finalise modalities for executing decisions after Riyadh meeting

ISLAMABAD:

Saudi Arabia will take Pakistan into confidence if it decides to launch another military offensive in Yemen to counter the threats posed by last year’s Houthi rebellion, sources have informed The Express Tribune.

In a series of meetings with the Saudis authorities on Thursday, the top civil and military leadership developed consensus on executing all future plans regarding the Yemen situation after consulting with all the stakeholders, including Pakistan. “Saudi Arabia’s next move in the region, including any possible offensive, will materialise only after mutual consultation.”

After Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns from his UK trip, he will finalise with the military leadership the modalities for executing the decisions taken during the premier’s visit to Riyadh. “The PM, the army chief and others have extensively discussed with the Saudis various plans regarding Yemen and agreed on the next course of action.”

The country’s military leadership has told Riyadh that the Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm was carried out hastily. “It was conducted without adequate preparations and the selection of targets was also off beam.”

Sources have claimed that Pakistan has abandoned its earlier stance of remaining neutral on the Yemen issue, as well as done away with the impression that there were differences between the two countries.

The army chief, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, the chief of general staff, the directors general of military operations and other army officials had conducted detailed huddles with the Saudi Defence Minister Mohammad bin Salman and senior officials of the defence ministry. They discussed and devised various strategies regarding the Yemen conflict.

The Pakistani delegation also held meetings with King Salman, Crown Prince Muqrin and Deputy Crown Prince and Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Nayef.

Sources said the Saudis’ annoyance over the Pakistani parliament’s April 10 resolution was quelled during these extensive meetings. “All the matters between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia over the Yemen war have been settled amicably.”

The Pakistani military leadership has briefed Saudi authorities about possible ground operations in Yemen as well as other alternatives. “Without ground operations, no one can establish the government’s writ in the conflict zone.”

Pakistan will provide military assistance to the kingdom, including equipment for fighting in the tribal areas of Yemen, as well as share its expertise on how to carry out the next offensive, said the sources.

“Pakistan cannot remain a bystander if efforts are made to destabilise Saudi Arabia,” said an official statement issued by the Foreign Office.

Nawaz-Hadi huddle

PM Nawaz’s meeting with Yemen’s beleaguered President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in Saudi Arabia has been termed a “most significant meeting”.

Both leaders discussed the post-operation situation in Yemen and President Hadi’s possible reinstatement, said the sources. “They also talked about the Pakistani armed forces’ role in Yemen after Hadi is [properly] reinstated.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2015.