Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to provide "practical measures" to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 7, 2026, states that an armed attack on any one of the three states should be regarded as an attack on all.
Despite ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, neither Pakistan nor Turkey had joined Saudi Arabia's combat operations since the deal was signed, citing the need for further development of command and operational structures. However, following an emergency meeting in Riyadh, Turkey and Pakistan decided to implement the collective defense commitments immediately, which includes providing military forces and capabilities for rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia. Retired Pakistani lieutenant general Nauman Mahmood has been appointed as the alliance's first secretary-general for a three-year term.
Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow for Middle East security at the Royal United Services Institute, stated that Ankara and Islamabad aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position against the Houthi threat and demonstrate the effectiveness of the Mecca agreement. However, the operational details regarding the specific capabilities deployed have not been disclosed.
According to the 2026 Global Firepower military strength ranking, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey collectively have approximately 1.4 million active personnel, 3,400 military aircraft, 6,000 tanks, and over 340 naval assets.
On October 7, Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile north of Riyadh, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched an offensive to recapture territory along the Red Sea coast. The potential implications of Turkish military involvement are significant, as Turkey is a NATO member.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned that military options are not the only focus, as discussions also included peaceful resolutions through dialogue. However, Turkey's opposition parties have criticized the agreement, questioning its validity without parliamentary approval.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that Pakistan and Turkey are playing a supportive role, with their forces involved in reconnaissance while Saudi forces engage in combat. Imtiaz Gul, a Pakistani security analyst, noted that Pakistan's contribution to Saudi defense is not new but presents unique challenges due to the Houthi group's ties to Iran.
Hisham Al-Omeisy, a Yemeni conflict analyst, warned that foreign military presence in Yemen could strengthen Houthi coalitions and recruitment efforts.
Haroon Janjua in Islamabad contributed to this article.