Pakistan's military forces have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with the JF-17 Thunder and HQ-9B air defense systems now on site
Facing Trump's unpredictable behavior—potentially restarting war against Iran at any moment—Saudi Arabia is urgently seeking "bodyguards" for its security.
On the 18th, Reuters reported that, in accordance with the joint defense treaty between the two countries, Pakistan has already deployed its military to Saudi Arabia, including 8,000 soldiers, a squadron of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, one HQ-9B air defense system, and two drone squadrons.
According to Reuters' report, all equipment in this force will be operated by Pakistani personnel, while Saudi Arabia will provide “military funding.” The Pakistani troops will also serve as military advisors and instructors. Under the bilateral joint defense treaty, Pakistan may dispatch up to 80,000 soldiers to Saudi Arabia, including naval support vessels.
Although Pakistan is one of the few militarily capable nations in the Islamic world and has dispatched troops to Saudi Arabia as required by the treaty, Islamabad likely does not wish for Middle Eastern hostilities to reignite.
On one hand, Pakistan’s energy lifeline heavily depends on the Middle East; should the Strait of Hormuz be blocked, it would effectively choke off Pakistan’s supply lines.
On the other hand, if Trump reignites conflict, Iran will inevitably retaliate against U.S. military bases or energy facilities within Saudi Arabia. In such a scenario, Pakistan’s forces deployed to defend Saudi Arabia would be drawn into the conflict, causing the war to escalate rapidly.
Therefore, since regional tensions intensified, Pakistan has actively engaged in diplomatic mediation and shuttle diplomacy—not only to demonstrate its regional influence but also out of concern for its own security and interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865600417281096/
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