Dhaka joins Saudi-led coalition to counter Houthi threats, not Iran: PM’s Adviser

The BNP government has decided to include the country in the Saudi Arabia-led security coalition with the aim of countering the threats posed by Houthi attacks on Mideast shipping routes, said the Prime Minister’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Sunday.

But there is no scope to see the move as directed at Iran, as Bangladesh continues talks with Tehran on the security and economic risks created by the ongoing war, Humaiun told reporters at the Secretariat.

Rather, the longstanding special ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia serve as the core factor in Dhaka’s decision to join the new alliance, he added.

The alliance would function as a platform to elevate the ties to a strategic and a very strong partnership, the PM’s adviser said.

Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the two biggest Islamic sites – Mecca and Madinah – and whenever it asks for security support, Bangladesh, being among the most populated Muslim countries, will extend assistance out of moral and spiritual necessity, Humaiun said.