DID Press: Saudi Arabia has asked Iran to use its influence to restrain Ansarullah and prevent the group from expanding its attacks into Saudi territory. The request was conveyed to Tehran through Pakistan.
According to Reuters, Pakistan delivered Riyadh’s warning to Tehran within the past 24 hours and asked Iran to take action to halt Ansarullah attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The request comes as Saudi Arabia coordinates with Pakistan and Turkey to consider possible responses to recent attacks by Ansarullah. Pakistani officials have stressed that any military role by Pakistan would be limited to defending Saudi territory.
Pakistani sources said Saudi officials in Riyadh met senior military representatives from Pakistan and Turkey to coordinate a possible response to the attacks.
However, the three countries have agreed that their forces would not enter Yemen and that any potential retaliatory action would be launched from Saudi territory. No decision has so far been made on direct participation in retaliatory strikes.
Under the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, military cooperation is defensive in nature. Pakistani forces could provide military, technical, ground or air support inside Saudi Arabia, but would not participate in combat operations on the territory of a third country.
The developments come amid an escalation in Ansarullah attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said the group on Tuesday targeted an air base in Khamis Mushait and oil facilities in surrounding areas, injuring 73 people. Reuters described the attacks as among the largest against Saudi Arabia since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in February.
The attacks have also been reported along the fronts of Mokha, Hays and Khokha, with Ansarullah forces reportedly advancing across about 2,600 sq km of disputed areas.