ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is sending troops to ally Saudi Arabia on a “trainingand advise mission”, the military said, three years after it decidedagainst sending soldiers to join the Saudi-led military intervention inYemen.

The exact role the troops will play was unclear, but a statement from thearmy’s press wing on Thursday stressed they “will not be employed outside”the kingdom.

Pakistan’s retired army chief, General Raheel Sharif, commands the newSaudi-led Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism, though it was notimmediately clear whether the new troops would participate in thatcoalition.

Saudi Arabia had asked Pakistan to provide ships, aircraft and troops forthe Yemen campaign to stem the influence of Iran in what appears to beproxy war between the Gulf’s two dominant powers.

Pakistan’s parliament voted to remain neutral to avoid being pulled into asectarian regional power struggle, in part because the country shares aborder with Iran and has a sizeable Shi‘ite minority.

Pakistani military analyst retired Brigadier Shaukat Qadir said talksinvolving sending troops to Saudi Arabia had been ongoing for some time.

“Now, apparently, for whatever reason, the decision has been taken,” hesaid.

There are already about 750-800 Pakistani servicemen in Saudi Arabia, inpart to guard Islamic holy sites, but they are not combat troops. -Agencies