Pakistan and Turkiye Join Forces to Bolster Saudi Arabia's Defense Amid Rising Threats

Strengthening Defense Ties

Islamabad: In a significant move, Pakistan and Turkiye have reached an agreement to send military personnel to Saudi Arabia as part of a trilateral defense pact, responding to recent Houthi assaults in the region.

An emergency session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Alliance for Defence was convened in Riyadh on Monday to discuss the escalating threats to Saudi Arabia.

The defense agreement, established in August among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, outlines a collective deterrence strategy, asserting that any armed aggression against one member will be viewed as an attack on all.

During the meeting, the SPDC evaluated prior political and military discussions and endorsed the recommendations presented. It reaffirmed the Makkah agreement's commitment to collective defense and a unified stance against threats.

The committee resolved to promptly implement the collective defense obligations and take necessary actions to ensure the rapid deployment of the agreed military forces within the Kingdom.

According to the statement, the security of each nation is intertwined with the collective security of the three allies.

While the statement did not specify troop deployment details, it was made in light of ongoing Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia.

From Pakistan's side, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir participated in the discussions.

Khawaja Asif mentioned in an interview with Geo News that while Pakistan and Turkiye have a presence in the region, only Saudi forces are currently engaged in combat, with both countries providing supportive roles.

He highlighted that Pakistan is involved in reconnaissance efforts to assist Saudi operations.

The three nations condemned the attempted attacks on Makkah and Madinah, as well as ongoing assaults on urban areas and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Turkiye praised the Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance and readiness in countering these threats.

In a move to strengthen the alliance, the committee appointed General Nauman Mahmood (Retd.) from Pakistan as the inaugural Secretary-General for a three-year term.

This SPDC meeting coincided with Yemen's Saudi-led coalition government launching a significant military operation to reclaim territory from the Houthis.

The SPDC, a crucial component of the Makkah pact, includes the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and army chiefs from the three nations.

Last month, the defense chiefs and general staff of the three countries convened in Riyadh to assess the security landscape and threats to Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the foreign ministers met during the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the challenges facing the Kingdom.