ISLAMABAD: Claims circulating on social media that a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Air Base destroyed three Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets proved ‘false’.
Several Indian accounts on X have shared similar posts claiming that the Houthis fired more than six missiles at the air base, damaging hangars and destroying three Pakistani JF-17 aircraft. Moreover, in all its kinds of posts on social media have also questioned the effectiveness of the Pakistan-Saudi mutual defence arrangement.
However, security sources said there was no such Houthi attack on the air base and no Pakistani aircraft were damaged or destroyed in the alleged incident. The posts appear to have been circulated simultaneously by multiple accounts using similar wording, according to an examination of the social media activity.
The false claims have also been described as an attempt to create a negative impression of Pakistan-Saudi defence ties. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025, under which aggression against either country is to be considered aggression against both.
An examination of social media activity showed that several accounts were sharing identical or similar posts about the alleged attack on King Abdulaziz Air Base and the destruction of Pakistani aircraft. The Indian X accounts appeared to be coordinating the posts and promoting the same claim across X.
The claim that Houthi forces attacked the air base and destroyed Pakistani Air Force aircraft has been described as false and misleading. It is advised to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing unverified claims circulating on social media.
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