🔶 Makkah Defense Pact in the Test of Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia 🔻 Report by Murad Rahmati

The Makkah defense pact “considers an attack on one of the three countries of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey as an attack on all three members.” Now, in light of the intense missile and drone attacks by the Houthi forces supported by Iran on Saudi Arabia, the question arises as to whether the agreement, which so far has largely had the character of “deterrence and defense cooperation,” will enter an operational phase, and to what extent Turkey and Pakistan are willing to participate in the defense of Saudi Arabia.

Senior military commanders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan discussed in Riyadh last week “increasing information exchange, military coordination, and integrating defense capabilities.” The move indicates that the three countries are examining more practical mechanisms for this pact.

Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, has said that Houthi attacks may create new military needs for Saudi Arabia, and Ankara is ready to respond to those needs within the framework of the trilateral pact.