Published on 12:20 AM, March 27, 2015

Saudi Arabia asks Pakistan to join fight in Yemen

Yemeni Huthi rebels and members of the security forces loyal to the Shia movement inspect the damage at the scene of a Saudi air strike targeting the group which controls Sanaa near the airport in the Yemeni capital, yesterday. Photo: AFP
Afp, Islamabad

Pakistan is examining a request from Saudi Arabia to join a coalition to defend Yemen's president against advancing rebels threatening his stronghold in Aden, Islamabad said yesterday.

The Gulf kingdom has begun air strikes against Shia Huthi rebels and the Saudi ambassador in Washington said a coalition of 10 countries, including Pakistan, was being formed to protect the Yemeni government.

Yemen is teetering on the brink of civil war as turmoil has grown since Huthis launched a power grab in February.

People carry the body of a victim of the air strikes. Photo: AFP

"I can confirm we have been contacted by Saudi Arabia in this regard. The matter is being examined," Pakistan's foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said in a regular press briefing.

Aslam said no decision had been taken yet on whether to close the Pakistani embassy in Sanaa.

People flee the capital fearing more violence. Photo: AFP

The official Saudi Press Agency said earlier that Pakistan, along with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, had all "expressed desire to participate in the operation".

Islamabad has longstanding close ties to Saudi Arabia.

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