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‘Mecca Pact’ Activated for Security of Mecca and Medina; Pakistani and Turkish Troops to Assist Saudi Arabia
‘Mecca Pact’: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have activated the ‘Mecca Pact’ under a recently concluded defense agreement. According to this pact, an attack on one country is considered an attack on all three. Consequently, Pakistan and Turkey are set to send troops directly to assist Saudi Arabia, which is embroiled in a conflict against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This decision was reached during a high-level meeting of the three nations held in Riyadh on October 5.
Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized government in Yemen, whereas Iran-backed Houthi rebels control the northwestern region, the capital Sana'a, and the Red Sea coastline. A UN-brokered ceasefire established in 2022 expired on August 5, 2026. Subsequently, the Houthis seized control of the ports of Mocha and Dhubab, as well as strategic islands. They have claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet and launched attacks on Aramco oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s predicament deepened after the US refused to assist in direct airstrikes and initiated secret talks with the Houthis—aimed at preventing attacks on ships in the Red Sea. On the night of September 15–16, drone attacks were launched towards the Mecca province, and Saudi authorities reported casualties in the city of Taif. Pakistan altered its stance following concerns regarding the security of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Initially, Pakistan was reluctant to send troops directly due to the lack of a unified military structure, fears that its role as a mediator in the Iran-US conflict could be jeopardized, and domestic Shia-Sunni tensions. Pakistan had previously refused to send troops for the Yemen war in 2015. However, citing the security of the holy cities, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed a willingness to provide military assistance. Ultimately, a joint statement issued by the three nations reaffirmed the commitment to the security of Mecca and Medina and decided on the immediate implementation of the agreement.
‘Mecca Pact’: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have activated the ‘Mecca Pact’ under a recently concluded defense agreement. According to this pact, an attack on one country is considered an attack on all three. Consequently, Pakistan and Turkey are set to send troops directly to assist Saudi Arabia, which is embroiled in a conflict against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This decision was reached during a high-level meeting of the three nations held in Riyadh on October 5.
Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized government in Yemen, whereas Iran-backed Houthi rebels control the northwestern region, the capital Sana'a, and the Red Sea coastline. A UN-brokered ceasefire established in 2022 expired on August 5, 2026. Subsequently, the Houthis seized control of the ports of Mocha and Dhubab, as well as strategic islands. They have claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet and launched attacks on Aramco oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s predicament deepened after the US refused to assist in direct airstrikes and initiated secret talks with the Houthis—aimed at preventing attacks on ships in the Red Sea. On the night of September 15–16, drone attacks were launched towards the Mecca province, and Saudi authorities reported casualties in the city of Taif. Pakistan altered its stance following concerns regarding the security of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Initially, Pakistan was reluctant to send troops directly due to the lack of a unified military structure, fears that its role as a mediator in the Iran-US conflict could be jeopardized, and domestic Shia-Sunni tensions. Pakistan had previously refused to send troops for the Yemen war in 2015. However, citing the security of the holy cities, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed a willingness to provide military assistance. Ultimately, a joint statement issued by the three nations reaffirmed the commitment to the security of Mecca and Medina and decided on the immediate implementation of the agreement.
Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized government in Yemen, whereas Iran-backed Houthi rebels control the northwestern region, the capital Sana'a, and the Red Sea coastline. A UN-brokered ceasefire established in 2022 expired on August 5, 2026. Subsequently, the Houthis seized control of the ports of Mocha and Dhubab, as well as strategic islands. They have claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet and launched attacks on Aramco oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s predicament deepened after the US refused to assist in direct airstrikes and initiated secret talks with the Houthis—aimed at preventing attacks on ships in the Red Sea. On the night of September 15–16, drone attacks were launched towards the Mecca province, and Saudi authorities reported casualties in the city of Taif. Pakistan altered its stance following concerns regarding the security of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Initially, Pakistan was reluctant to send troops directly due to the lack of a unified military structure, fears that its role as a mediator in the Iran-US conflict could be jeopardized, and domestic Shia-Sunni tensions. Pakistan had previously refused to send troops for the Yemen war in 2015. However, citing the security of the holy cities, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed a willingness to provide military assistance. Ultimately, a joint statement issued by the three nations reaffirmed the commitment to the security of Mecca and Medina and decided on the immediate implementation of the agreement.
