Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact, even as Islamabad continues to play a key mediation role in the Iran war.
The deployment was confirmed by three security officials and two government sources, all of whom described it as a substantial, combat-capable force intended to support Saudi Arabia's military if the kingdom comes under further attack.
Pakistan's military and foreign office and Saudi Arabia's government media office did not respond to requests for comment on the deployment.
The full terms of the defense agreement, signed last year, are confidential, but both sides have said it requires Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to come to each other's defense in the event of an attack.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has previously implied that it places Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella.
