Dhaka expresses solidarity with Riyadh, but no formal security commitment has been made as Houthi rebels claim another strike
Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to assist Saudi Arabia if the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah face security threats, but Saudi authorities remain uncertain about whether Dhaka will provide any specific assistance amid continuing Houthi attacks, according to sources at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka.
The uncertainty comes as Yemen’s Houthi rebels continue to threaten Saudi Arabia and have claimed responsibility for striking a Saudi military aircraft, a Eurofighter Typhoon, with an air-to-air missile over Yemen’s Saada governorate.
At least three attacks have reportedly occurred this month, according to information provided for this report. However, the latest aircraft strike claim has not been independently verified.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said Bangladesh would not remain indifferent if Makkah and Madinah faced security threats amid the ongoing regional conflict.
“If any threat emerges against Makkah or Madinah, Bangladesh will certainly not remain indifferent. We will extend a helping hand to protect the two holy cities,” she told journalists.
However, the Saudi Embassy sources said Riyadh was still unsure whether Bangladesh would provide any form of assistance in response to the Houthi attacks.
The remarks highlight the difference between Bangladesh’s public expression of solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the absence of a clearly defined commitment to provide security assistance.
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah bin Zafer Abiyah paid a courtesy call on Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday (October 13).
During the meeting, the ambassador thanked Bangladesh for its solidarity and support, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shama conveyed Bangladesh’s condolences over the loss of lives in recent attacks and called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
She also expressed appreciation for the care provided to injured Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting underscored the importance both countries attach to their longstanding bilateral relationship as regional tensions continue to pose security concerns.
However, the foreign ministry’s statement did not announce any specific security assistance or military commitment by Bangladesh.
Shama previously clarified that Bangladesh had not formally joined the proposed Makkah Pact, leaving its potential role under the arrangement undecided.
“We have not yet joined the Makkah Pact. A decision can be considered final only when the process is formally completed,” she said.
Asked whether Bangladesh would send troops to Saudi Arabia under the proposed arrangement, she said the issue did not arise at present.
“Since Bangladesh has not joined the Makkah Pact, the question of sending troops under that arrangement does not arise at this moment,” she said.
Her remarks suggest that Bangladesh’s willingness to support the protection of the two holy cities should not be interpreted as a commitment to deploy troops or participate in a specific military operation.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed in a statement posted on X that the group had struck a Saudi Eurofighter Typhoon over Yemen’s Saada governorate.
He said the aircraft had taken off from Saudi Arabia’s Taif airbase and was at risk of crashing after being directly hit.
Saudi authorities and independent sources have not confirmed the claim.
Continued Houthi attacks and threats have raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the security implications for Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom is a key economic and labour-market partner for Bangladesh, hosting a large Bangladeshi expatriate community and serving as a major source of remittances.
For Dhaka, any decision on security assistance would therefore involve sensitive diplomatic and strategic considerations alongside its expressed religious and political solidarity with Riyadh.
While Bangladesh has reiterated its willingness to stand by Saudi Arabia if Makkah and Madinah face threats, the nature of any assistance remains undefined, and Saudi officials have yet to be assured of concrete support from Dhaka.
