The Houthi war has suddenly moved much closer to Saudi Arabia. After attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure that wounded 73 people, the Iran-backed Yemeni group has pushed along Yemen's Red Sea coast and seized the strategic port of Mocha, raising the prospect of greater pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
Saudi Arabia has retaliated with airstrikes while Pakistan, which only a day ago warned that attacks spilling into Saudi territory could activate its new defence pact with Saudi and Turkey, has now sought to cool expectations. Pakistan now says no military response is currently under discussion under the Mecca pact, though it adds that it will act "when the time comes."
