Houthi drone near Mecca: Saudi Arabia draws ‘red line’ — has Makkah Pact been tested?

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca, marking a concerning escalation in the Yemen war. The incident occurred on September 15, with the coalition warning the Houthis that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a "red line." The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, calling the Saudi claim false. This escalation comes just a month after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which states that an armed attack against one signatory is considered an attack against all, similar to NATO's Article 5.

However, the pact lacks clear provisions for automatic military responses or assistance. Pakistan has been cautious not to cross this line, with Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stating there is no military response under discussion. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the Houthis' attacks on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, maintaining Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and pledging efforts to defuse regional tensions.

The Houthis, a powerful armed movement backed by Iran, pose a significant threat to the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab chokepoint, adding both strategic and economic dimensions to the conflict. In response, Saudi Arabia appears to be building a more extensive security network beyond the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, including seeking intelligence and security assistance from other nations like Israel and Britain.