Pakistan sends four cargo planes of weapons to Saudi-backed Yemen govt

Pakistan sent four cargo planes carrying armaments to Yemen’s Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government in September, as Riyadh mobilises to push back a sweeping Houthi offensive.

The Pakistani weapons shipments to the southern port city of Aden, reported by Reuters on Friday, suggest Islamabad is deepening its involvement in the protracted conflict.

Citing a Pakistani government official, the report stated that Islamabad delivered air defence systems, light artillery, drones, and anti-drone equipment. Pakistani military advisers are also on the ground working alongside Saudi counterparts to support Yemeni government troops.

Multiple Western and Arab officials told Middle East Eye that Saudi Arabia is preparing a high-intensity military campaign to counter the Houthis, who have seized control of virtually the entire Red Sea coastline of Yemen.

Intense clashes have been reported in recent days around the strategic city of Taiz. On Thursday, Houthi fighters destroyed a key bridge connecting government-controlled pockets near Taiz to Aden. Capturing Taiz would enable the group to cut off Aden from government-held northern territories and sever vital supply corridors.

In response, Saudi Arabia has intensified its aerial bombardment. Houthi officials claimed the kingdom carried out 94 air strikes within 24 hours. Riyadh confirmed conducting a "high-value targeting operation" in Sanaa, striking 11 targets in Saada, and launching 27 raids against an "integrated military system" in Taiz.

The Houthis have retaliated with cross-border drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh’s international airport. On Thursday, Riyadh accused the group of targeting the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina, which supplies power to the Prophet’s Mosque—an allegation the Houthis denied.

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While Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain decades of close defence cooperation, Islamabad’s escalating commitment—alongside that of Turkey—is seen as an early test of the Mecca Pact joint defence framework signed in August. Both nations face a delicate diplomatic balancing act, particularly Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran, the primary backer of the Houthis.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to shore up regional alliances. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed in Riyadh on Tuesday, in a public move to mend ties following previous friction over Abu Dhabi’s backing of southern Yemeni separatists.