Pakistan has reportedly sent an army combat unit to Yemen to join the war against the Shia fighters in the country's north. 

An informed source with the Pakistani dailyJang has said that a 300-strong unit of Special Forces has been deployed in Yemen. 

US media reports say the US military and intelligence agencies are involved in joint operations with Yemeni troops. 

Yemen launched a military offensive against the Houthi fighters in the northern Sa'ada Province last August. Saudi Arabia joined forces with the Yemeni government in November. 

Sana'a accuses the Shia fighters of violating terms of a ceasefire in 2009 by taking foreign visitors hostage. 

The Houthis accuse the Yemeni government of violating their civil rights and marginalizing them politically, economically, and religiously. 

The Shia fighters say the offensives launched against the northern regions mostly target residential areas and result in civilian casualties. 

Islamabad's controversial decision is expected to cause public outrage in a country, which is similarly targeted by indiscriminate missile attacks. 

The Pakistani public holds regular demonstrations to condemn Washington's drone attacks on remote tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. 

The US claims that the attacks are aimed at eliminating militant positions. However, they usually result in civilian casualties.