Pakistan Deploys Troops and Jets to Saudi Arabia Amid Iran Conflict

Pakistan has sent 8,000 soldiers, a flight offighter jets, and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a bilateral defense agreement, increasing military collaboration with Riyadh even as Islamabad acts as the primary negotiator in the Iran conflict.

The operation, whose complete scope is revealed here for the first time, was verified by three security officials and two government sources, who all characterized it as a significant, battle-ready force designed to assist Saudi Arabia's military if the country faces additional attacks.

The Pakistani military, foreign ministry, and the Saudi government's media office did not provide any statements regarding the deployment.

The complete details of the defense agreement, signed last year, are kept secret, but both parties have stated that it requires Pakistan andSaudi Arabiato support one another in case of an attack. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has previously suggested that this puts Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear protection.

As per the reports, Pakistan has deployed an entire squadron of approximately 16 aircraft, primarily JF-17 fighters developed in collaboration with China, which were dispatched to Saudi Arabia in early April. Two security officials mentioned that Pakistan had also sent two squadrons of drones.

All five sources indicated that the deployment involves approximately 8,000 soldiers, with a commitment to deploy additional forces if necessary, along with a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system.

The device is controlled byPakistanistaffed and funded by Saudi Arabia, they stated.

Thousands of troops

Military and air force personnel involved in the Iran conflict will mainly serve in an advisory and training capacity, as stated by two security officials. They mentioned having reviewed communications between the two nations and documents regarding the deployment of military assets.

The addition involves thousands of Pakistani soldiers who were already present in the country under prior arrangements, according to three security officials.

A government official, who has reviewed the contents of the secret defense agreement, mentioned that it outlines the potential deployment of as many as 80,000 Pakistani soldiers to Saudi Arabia to assist in protecting the country's borders with Saudi forces.

Saudi Arabia carried out multiple undisclosed attacks against Iran.

Two security personnel mentioned that the agreement also included the sending of Pakistani warships. Reuters could not confirm if any had arrived in Saudi Arabia.

The magnitude and nature of the deployment—comprising fighter jets, air defense systems, and thousands of soldiers—indicates that Pakistan has undertaken a substantial rather than a ceremonial or consultative mission, according to the sources.

Reuters had previously stated that Pakistan had deployed aircraft to Saudi Arabia followingIranianattacks targeted critical energy infrastructure and resulted in the death of a Saudi citizen, increasing fears that the Gulf nation could respond strongly and expand the conflict.

This occurred prior to Islamabad becoming the main mediator in the conflict, facilitating a truce between Washington and Tehran that has remained in effect for the last six weeks. Islamabad was the venue for the sole session of U.S.-Iranian peace negotiations thus far, with additional sessions planned, which both parties subsequently canceled.

Reuters has later stated that Saudi Arabia conducted multiple undisclosed airstrikes against Iran in response to attacks that occurred within the country.

Pakistan has historically offered military assistance to Saudi Arabia, such as training and advisory missions, while Riyadh has consistently provided financial backing to Islamabad during times of economic difficulty.

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