Military leaders will gather in Riyadh while fighting continues in Yemen and Houthis keep attacking Saudi Arabia.
State leaders met this week to prepare for signing the Mecca Mutual Defence Agreement in August. If any of the three countries faces an armed attack, it counts as an attack on all three, based on the agreement’s terms.
As regional tensions grow, the three nations want to build stronger military and strategic partnerships.
This meeting comes after recent Houthi attacks on Saudi territory using missiles and drones aimed at cities and important infrastructure.
Yemen conflict raises regional security concerns
The Houthis control much of northern and western Yemen and have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia as fighting in Yemen intensifies.
This increased activity puts more pressure on Saudi Arabia’s already weak position and raises worries about its energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia previously led a military coalition against the Houthis in Yemen and tried to negotiate peace. But recent fighting has disrupted these efforts and forced Saudi Arabia to reconsider its security strategy.
Mecca defence pact faces first major test
The meeting will review the newly signed Mecca defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement on August 16.
Under the pact, an armed attack on any of the three countries is treated as an attack on all three. The agreement aims to strengthen joint defense and deterrence among the three nations.
Turkey also said it was ready to help Saudi Arabia meet its military needs under the agreement.
Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters that Saudi Arabia might have “military needs because of Houthi attacks” and that Turkey would be ready to help by providing technical support.
But Pakistan said there have been no discussions about a military response to Houthi attacks as part of the deal. However, Islamabad said it would consider doing so if needed.
Defence cooperation grows
Meanwhile, all three countries had already begun creating systems to carry out the Mecca agreement.
Their foreign ministers, defence ministers, and military leaders met in August in Istanbul. At that meeting, they formed a committee under the pact.
They also decided that a permanent office would be opened in Saudi Arabia, with more cooperation in areas like defence skills, military equipment, and shared manufacturing.
“The agreement is meant to be defensive and strengthen regional stability and joint deterrence,” the three countries said.
Rising tensions in Yemen
The planned meeting in Riyadh shows how Yemen’s war is affecting the Gulf region. Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and energy sites, along with major changes in Yemen’s fighting, are raising concerns about security in the important Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This sea route connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
These events create bigger security problems for the kingdom because attacks from Yemen are putting its land and important oil export facilities at risk.
Because of this, the meeting between the three military leaders will probably discuss regional security and how they can work together under their new defence agreement while Yemen’s conflict continues to change.