Pakistan

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

Pakistani government has not yet announced its official position

News Desk April 11, 2015

Pakistani government has not yet announced its official position. PHOTO: REUTERS

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.

COMMENTS (2)

Viren Naik | 9 years ago | Reply It is a known fact that Pakistan has a big garrison stationed in and around Riyadh permanently mainly to protect the Royal family. They are now looking for a combat trained battalion as well as ISI trained insurgents. Saudis have a lot of hardware but they are relying on USA for soft power intelligence as the parameters have changed. This is going to be the next Vietnam/Columbia type of War and can envelope the whole of the Middle East. It is a wise decision of Pakistant not to commit ground troops in any form whatsoever. The Problem is will the General heed this in the wake of billions of dollars coming their way to supply troops in any form insurgents or AQs for combat. Regards and God bless Viren Naik

Kamil Utmankhel | 9 years ago | Reply Dear Sir , A.O.A My personal opinion is that Pakistani parliamentarians and all parities express their wisdom and maturity by taking the decision of non involvement in Yemen crises .If Army obey the decision of Parliament then it will be totally in the favor pak nation as in past pak leadership (civil & Military) remained "YES SIR" to Saudi kingdom and that behavior brought catastrophe to Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is responsible for all the terrorism and militancy in Islamic countries and more specifically in Pakistan.Saudi Arabia is the most Hippocratic country .on one side it showing its sympathy and on other side it does not hesitate to destroy a country. KSA is the most wealthy country in Islamic world but it never used its wealth for bringing peace and prosperity in the poor Islamic countries because its leaders always think about their personal gains and to sae their regime .for this it never hesitate to destroy a peaceful nation. OIC and UN should teach a lesson to KSA and Pakistan should categorically refuse about help . Every muslim is ready to die for Harmain Sharifain but no one is ready to die for Saudi regime. now its 2015 let there be democracy and freedom of expression . they are behaving foreighners specially Pakistani labors like animals and exploiting them like slaves on the name of "KAFALAT" and "EJAR". OIC ,ARAB LEAGUE and Pakistan should enforce KSA to stop war against Yemeni people.KSA should not interfere in the nations internal affairs it should concentrate on their welfare and bringing democracy in their country. And if KSA refuse ,OIC ,UN and islamic world should impose sanctions on it. Let stop saudi SAUDI TERRORISM.

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