The New York Times, citing a senior Pakistani military official, reported that the country’s air force fighter jets have been used in strikes against the Houthis. If officially confirmed, the report would mark Pakistan’s shift from a support and reconnaissance role to direct participation in aerial combat operations against the group.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of operational matters, said Pakistan Air Force fighter jets were involved in strikes against the Houthis. However, the report did not specify how many aircraft were involved, which targets were struck, when the operations began, or whether Pakistani jets had carried out attacks inside Yemen.

Another Pakistani official told The New York Times that Pakistan’s role was expected to focus on air support aimed at reducing threats from Houthi drones and missiles, and that Islamabad had no plans for ground operations in Yemen. The Pakistani military declined to comment on the reported involvement of its fighter jets.

If confirmed, the report would represent a significant shift from the public position taken by Pakistani officials earlier in the week. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said after an emergency meeting of the “Makkah Pact” in Riyadh that Pakistani and Turkish forces were providing support and taking part in missions such as reconnaissance, while direct combat operations against the Houthis were being conducted by Saudi forces.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistani military, confirmed the presence of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia, saying they were operating in “several areas and with various capabilities”. He noted, however, that Pakistani troops have maintained a presence in Saudi Arabia for decades and provided no details about any link to the ongoing air strikes.

The New York Times report was published days after the collective defence commitments under the “Makkah Pact” entered the implementation phase. At an October 5 meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey agreed to take the necessary steps to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and rapidly deploy them in Saudi Arabia. The decision followed an escalation in Houthi attacks on the kingdom.