Turkey, Pakistan to deploy forces to S. Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia is bracing for a surge in military presence from Turkey and Pakistan following a string of Houthi attacks in the region. The three nations, bound by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, agreed on Monday to rapidly deploy forces to Saudi Arabia in response to the escalating aggression. This alliance, uniting Turkey's second-largest army with Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and Saudi Arabia's leading Gulf power, was reaffirmed during an emergency meeting in Riyadh.

While the Houthis were not named specifically, the three countries underscored their commitment to defend Saudi Arabia's security and territorial integrity. The statement did not detail the precise role the troops would play once in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has been grappling with Houthi assaults on its cities, oil infrastructure, and naval vessels since the Yemeni civil war reignited in July.

Recently, the Houthis launched a fresh offensive, wresting control of large areas from the Saudi-backed government, prompting Riyadh to launch a counteroffensive backed by its allies, aiming to reclaim all Houthi-held territories.