Pakistani Defense Minister: 'We Will Defend Saudi Arabia with All Our Might'

Ankara-Riyadh-Agencies: Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif affirmed yesterday that his country would defend Saudi Arabia “with all its might,” amid recent attacks on the kingdom. This statement came in an interview with Geo News, where he discussed the “Mecca Defense Agreement” signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia on August 7, as well as regional developments. Regarding the recent attacks launched by the Yemeni Houthi group against Saudi Arabia, Asif said, “We will defend Saudi Arabia with all our strength.” He added that defending the kingdom is “no less important than defending Pakistan,” continuing, “God willing, with the three countries joining the agreement, we will defend each other’s territories against any external attack.” Meanwhile, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the forces of the “Alliance to Support Legitimacy in Yemen,” announced yesterday that air defenses intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by the so-called Houthi militia toward the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Al-Maliki announced that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched by the militia toward the eastern region of the kingdom. On another note, the Pakistani minister pointed out that the presence of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Iran reflects the importance of ongoing diplomatic communications, expressing his belief that progress would be achieved in Tehran regarding regional issues. On Monday, Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated that Tehran’s meeting, which brought together Iranian officials and others from the “Mecca Alliance” countries, could mark the beginning of establishing a regional security system originating from the region.