SAUDI ARABIA, PAKISTAN AND TÜRKİYE DISCUSS JOINT RESPONSE UNDER DEFENCE PACT

September 26, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye are preparing high-level military consultations on ways to support Riyadh amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces, bringing their recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement under its first major test. The three countries signed the pact in August, under which an armed attack against one member is to be regarded as an attack against all three.

The planned discussions followed a meeting in New York between the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, who agreed on the need for an urgent meeting of their military chiefs. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile and drone attacks attributed to the Houthis, with Riyadh saying it intercepted six ballistic missiles during the latest escalation.

Türkiye has already indicated its willingness to assist Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara was prepared to address Saudi military requirements, particularly in technical areas, under the defence agreement. Pakistan, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia's defence, although Islamabad previously said that no discussions on a military response under the pact had taken place.

The developments come as Houthi attacks have increasingly targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping routes. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have condemned the attacks, while regional governments have also stressed the importance of protecting navigation and pursuing diplomatic efforts to end the wider conflict.

The military consultations could provide an early indication of how the Makkah defence pact will operate in practice. Neither Türkiye nor Pakistan has announced direct military strikes against the Houthis under the agreement, and the precise form of any assistance to Saudi Arabia has yet to be announced.