Saudi Arabia under fire: why the 'Islamic NATO' is inactive
Yemeni Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia, with air raid sirens sounding for the first time in Mecca and Jeddah. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received no military support from partners in the Mecca Pact (Pakistan and Turkey) or from the US. In search of allies, the prince traveled to Egypt to meet with President al-Sisi.
Yemeni Houthis have again attacked Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, September 15, air raid sirens sounded for the first time in Mecca and Jeddah—cities previously outside the range of attacks. The warning system was also activated in the city of Taif. No reports of damage were received. Earlier, the Houthis warned that dozens of Saudi strikes on Yemen would not go unanswered. The ongoing escalation raises questions about the inaction of the Saudi regime's partners in the Mecca Pact—a collective security agreement signed in early August with Pakistan and Turkey. The defense alliance, dubbed the 'Islamic NATO,' proved ineffective. Both partners limited themselves to condemning the Houthis' actions. Riyadh's attempt to secure military support from Washington also failed: media reported that Prince bin Salman called US President Donald Trump up to twice a day, but the American leader refrained from intervention. In this situation, the Saudi Crown Prince arrived in Cairo on September 15 and met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The sides emphasized the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. Al-Sisi expressed support for Saudi measures to protect its security and stability.