Amid a surge in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye have committed to strengthening their military and intelligence collaboration. On Friday, the chiefs of staff from the three countries convened in Riyadh to explore strategies to bolster Saudi Arabia’s defenses and enhance coordination as part of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement established in August.
The meeting focused on assessing the regional security landscape, with the military officials agreeing to boost the integration of their defensive capabilities. The discussions underscored a shared commitment to collective defense and the protection of Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, amid the escalating threat posed by Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked interests and infrastructure. The Houthi forces have also been launching assaults on maritime activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, raising broader regional security concerns.
In a separate meeting, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman engaged with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, to deliberate on the recent Houthi attacks and contemplate measures to fortify joint defense efforts. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which the three nations are operating under, stipulates that an armed attack against any of them is to be considered an attack against all, calling for enhanced defense cooperation and stronger collective deterrence.
This latest gathering marks a concerted effort by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye to translate the defense agreement into actionable military and security cooperation, reflecting a unified stance against regional threats and a commitment to maintaining stability in the region.