Pakistan, Türkiye agree to deploy forces, capabilities in Saudi Arabia amid Houthi threats

Photo taken on Oct. 5, 2026 shows an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca alliance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Ministry of Defense/Handout via Xinhua)

RIYADH, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Türkiye will provide military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia in accordance with their commitments under the Mecca Alliance for Defense, the three countries said Monday, as Saudi Arabia faces escalating attacks from Yemen's Houthi group.

The decision was announced after an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca alliance in the Saudi capital Riyadh to address security threats facing Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement posted on the Saudi Ministry of Defense's official account on social media platform X.

The statement said the three countries condemned in the strongest terms the attempted targeting of Mecca and Madinah, as well as continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia.

The countries affirmed that the security of each party is an integral part of the collective security of the three, noting that translating the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement into practical measures would strengthen deterrence, military readiness and integration, the statement added.

The Houthi group announced a maritime ban on Saudi shipping in July and has since launched strikes on Saudi tankers and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7 in the Saudi city of Mecca, which stipulates that an attack on any signatory will be considered an attack on all.