Pakistan and Türkiye will provide military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia in accordance with their commitments under the Mecca Alliance for Defense, the three countries said Monday, as Saudi Arabia faces escalating attacks from Yemen's Houthi group.
The decision was announced after an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca alliance in the Saudi capital Riyadh to address security threats facing Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement posted on the Saudi Ministry of Defense's official account on social media platform X.
The statement said the three countries condemned in the strongest terms the attempted targeting of Mecca and Madinah, as well as continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The countries affirmed that the security of each party is an integral part of the collective security of the three, noting that translating the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement into practical measures would strengthen deterrence, military readiness and integration, the statement added.
The Houthi group announced a maritime ban on Saudi shipping in July and has since launched strikes on Saudi tankers and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7 in the Saudi city of Mecca, which stipulates that an attack on any signatory will be considered an attack on all.
Pakistan, Türkiye agree to deploy forces, capabilities in Saudi Arabia amid Houthi threats
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by increased fighting in Yemen and wanted the sides to de-escalate tensions, his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said Monday.
"The secretary-general has wanted the sides to de-escalate tensions, and he continues to want that. He does not believe the further militarization of the conflict, including involvement by the outside powers, will be helpful," said Haq.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 180,000 people have been displaced in the country since Aug. 1.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the UN and its partners continue to support the humanitarian response wherever conditions allow, as escalating hostilities are causing more civilian casualties.
Since the start of August, at least 46 civilians have been killed, 24 of them children, and more than 130 others have been injured, including 84 women and children, OCHA said, citing the UN Human Rights Office.
According to OCHA, humanitarian partners have reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including homes and farms, as well as health, water and education facilities.
OCHA continues to assess people's needs and the impact of the hostilities, it said.
The latest developments came amid an escalation in clashes between the Houthi group and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces across southwestern Yemen.
Yemen's conflict broke out in late 2014, when the Houthis seized the Sanaa and much of the country's north, forcing the internationally recognized government out of the capital. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the government. The recent clashes marked the sharpest escalation since a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted major hostilities in the war-torn country.
UN chief voices deep concern over conflict escalation in Yemen
