Pakistan, Turkiye edge closer towards joining Saudi war against Houthis

A Trilateral Security Test

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East faces a critical inflection point as military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan prepare for an urgent summit in Riyadh. This high-stakes gathering is convened under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), a landmark trilateral pact signed in August 2026 that mandates a collective response to external aggression. The urgency of the meeting follows a surge in Houthi-led missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi infrastructure, including facilities in Yanbu and the holy city of Mecca, signaling a dangerous escalation in the regional conflict.

While the agreement explicitly states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, the path to operationalizing this commitment remains complex. Military leaders are tasked with navigating the delicate balance between honoring their mutual defense obligations and managing the risks of deeper entanglement in a volatile theater. As the Houthis continue to challenge Saudi sovereignty, the upcoming talks in Riyadh will serve as a litmus test for the durability and practical application of the MJDA in the face of active hostilities.

The Genesis of the Makkah Pact

Signed on August 7, 2026, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was designed to foster a new era of regional security. The pact aims to establish a permanent institutional structure, including a secretariat in Saudi Arabia, to coordinate political, defense, and strategic cooperation. This framework was born out of a shared desire to enhance deterrence capabilities against the backdrop of widening regional instability, particularly following the onset of the broader conflict involving Iran earlier in the year.

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, held in Istanbul on August 31, laid the groundwork for this cooperation. By formalizing their military ties, the three nations sought to create a unified front capable of projecting power and ensuring stability. However, the rapid transition from diplomatic planning to an emergency military summit underscores the severity of the current security environment, as the theoretical promises of the pact are now being tested by real-world kinetic threats.

Escalating Houthi Aggression

The immediate catalyst for the Riyadh summit is the intensified campaign by Houthi forces, who have launched dozens of projectiles at Saudi territory in recent weeks. Saudi air defenses have been forced into constant operation, intercepting ballistic missiles aimed at critical economic and civilian hubs. These attacks have not only disrupted energy logistics but have also targeted sites of immense religious significance, prompting strong condemnation from the international community and the signatories of the Makkah agreement.

The ministers also discussed arrangements for holding an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of the three countries to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack against any one of the parties constitutes an attack against all parties.

The Houthis' ability to strike deep into Saudi territory has forced Riyadh to lean heavily on its new security partners. By invoking the MJDA, Saudi Arabia is signaling that it expects more than just diplomatic support; it is seeking a tangible, coordinated military response. This pressure places both Islamabad and Ankara in a difficult position, as they must weigh their strategic partnership with Riyadh against the potential for a protracted and costly regional war.

Diplomatic Caution and Strategic Realities

Despite the gravity of the situation, both Pakistan and Turkiye have maintained a measured tone in their public communications. While their foreign ministers have affirmed the right of Saudi Arabia to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter, they have been careful to emphasize the ongoing nature of "technical negotiations" and the institutionalization of the pact. This caution reflects the internal political sensitivities and the broader regional risks associated with direct military intervention against the Houthis.

Expert analysis suggests that while the three nations are committed to the alliance, the definition of "support" remains a subject of intense debate. Whether this manifests as intelligence sharing, logistical support, or direct military participation remains to be seen. As the military chiefs convene in Riyadh, the world is watching to see if the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement will evolve into a robust collective security mechanism or remain a symbolic framework for regional cooperation.