Houthis in the crosshairs: Pakistan threatens to activate the Mecca Alliance for the first time

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif threatened that the Mecca Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey would become operational if Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue. Asif emphasized that aggression against one country would be considered aggression against all, and that there is no ambiguity in the agreement. The remarks came after the Houthis attacked targets in southern Saudi Arabia, wounding 73 civilians.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif threatened that the Mecca Agreement, a joint defense alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, would become operational if Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue. Asif said that "if there is unprovoked aggression, or a spillover of what is happening in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, then certainly the Mecca Agreement will become operational." He emphasized that aggression against one country would be considered aggression against all three countries, and that there is no ambiguity in the agreement. The remarks came after the Houthis attacked the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran in southern Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi Defense Ministry, 73 civilians were wounded in the attacks. Pakistani media presented Asif's statement as the clearest signal yet that Islamabad and Turkey may be called upon to assist Saudi Arabia if the escalation continues. Arab media also reported on the possibility of activating the agreement, which was signed in Mecca on August 7 and includes mechanisms for security cooperation, military capability development, and counterterrorism. Turkey is taking a more cautious line, and no joint decision has been made on the matter at this stage.