Mecca defence alliance chiefs meet amid Houthi attacks

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has stated that Gulf security is closely linked to energy stability and supply chain continuity. This comment was made during his address to the UN General Assembly.

The Gulf region has been experiencing heightened tensions, with Yemen's Houthi militants launching attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and military sites. According to Reuters Business via SCMP, these attacks have tested the limits of a regional mutual defence deal signed by Saudi Arabia with Pakistan and Turkey. A meeting of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was convened in Riyadh, where military chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence.

China has also weighed in on the issue, with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng calling for the sovereignty and security of Gulf countries to be respected. The Houthi attacks have resulted in Saudi Arabia responding with air strikes, while the militants have launched drones and taken control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Brief written by urgent.news from Ajel English, Hindustan Times - World News, Saudi Gazette, Reuters Business via SCMP — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.