Makkah pact countries to meet in Riyadh with Houthi attacks on agenda

Ministers and military leaders from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to convene in Riyadh on Monday to discuss the Makkah defence pact, according to Ankara and Islamabad. The strategic political and defence committee of the pact will be the focus of the meeting, which will include defence and foreign ministers, as well as army chiefs from Turkey and Pakistan.

While Saudi officials have not yet confirmed the details, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry official confirmed that the agenda would center on Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. As the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel persists, and as Houthi rebels continue launching missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia, including energy infrastructure, the meeting aims to bolster regional security.

Turkey's participation signifies its commitment to institutionalizing its alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, following an inaugural meeting in Istanbul in August. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed his country's resolve to contribute to regional peace and stability via social media prior to the meeting. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in August, aims to enhance collective deterrence, akin to NATO's Article 5.

The conflict in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized territory recently, underscores the urgency of these talks.