Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye are intensifying their military and intelligence cooperation in response to increasing assaults by Yemen’s Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia. This development follows a meeting of the armed forces’ chiefs of staff from the three nations in Riyadh, where they discussed strategies to bolster Saudi Arabia’s defense under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The agreement, signed in August, stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three countries will be considered an attack against all. During the meeting, the military officials reviewed the current regional security landscape and committed to enhancing their defensive capabilities. They reaffirmed their dedication to collective defense and the protection of Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The discussions come amid a backdrop of heightened Houthi attacks targeting interests and infrastructure linked to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have also been responsible for assaults on shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which has raised broader security concerns in the region.
In a separate meeting, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir deliberated on the recent attacks against Saudi Arabia and explored avenues to fortify joint defense efforts. This collaboration marks a significant step in operationalizing the defense agreement into practical military and security measures.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement also emphasizes the importance of expanded defense cooperation and a robust collective deterrence strategy. The latest meeting underscores the commitment of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye to translate this agreement into actionable security cooperation as they navigate the complex and evolving security challenges in the region.