Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:16pm on 18 May 2026,Monday International
Pakistan has reportedly deployed 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones and an HQ-9 air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a confidential mutual defence pact amid the ongoing Iran conflict. According to Reuters, the deployment includes around 16 Chinese-made JF-17 fighter aircraft, two drone squadrons and Pakistani-operated defence systems financed by Riyadh. Sources described the force as combat-capable and intended to support Saudi Arabia if the kingdom faces further attacks. The pact reportedly allows deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops if required. The move comes as Islamabad simultaneously acts as the principal mediator in US-Iran peace talks. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have not officially commented on the deployment, while reports also suggest Saudi retaliatory strikes inside Iran remained undisclosed publicly. (PC: X)
