Will Pakistan Now Fight The Houthis? Saudi Activates Mecca Pact With Pakistan, Türkiye

Saudi Arabia has activated its Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Türkiye as Houthi attacks intensify, with the three countries agreeing to move towards the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to the kingdom. However, Pakistan has so far described its role as defensive and has not announced that its troops will take part in combat operations inside Yemen.

The agreement was activated after a high-level meeting in Riyadh on Monday involving senior officials from the three countries. Türkiye was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, while Pakistan sent Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Saudi authorities said two airports were struck on Monday, with at least three people injured. Houthi claims also referred to attacks on locations including Riyadh, Abha, Najran and Jazan, although not all of the group's claims could be independently verified.

The Makkah pact, signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all. The agreement was designed to strengthen collective deterrence and defence cooperation.

Pakistan already has military personnel and assets in Saudi Arabia under longstanding defence arrangements. Pakistani officials have said the country is committed to protecting Saudi Arabia, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has indicated that Pakistani forces are already involved in support activities such as reconnaissance. He said Saudi forces themselves are conducting the combat operations.

Islamabad has not publicly disclosed the size or precise composition of its current deployment. Pakistan's Information Ministry has said operational details are confidential. Reports and analysts have pointed to possible roles involving air defence, drones, communications, intelligence and logistical support, rather than Pakistani ground forces entering Yemen.

Türkiye's role remains less clear. While the Riyadh meeting agreed on rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities, Ankara has not publicly confirmed a standing troop deployment in Saudi Arabia. Turkish troops sent abroad would also face domestic legal requirements, including parliamentary approval.

The key question now is whether the pact remains limited to protecting Saudi territory or eventually draws Pakistan and Türkiye deeper into the Yemen conflict. Pakistan has repeatedly stressed the defensive nature of the agreement, while analysts have warned that continued Houthi attacks and a widening Saudi offensive could make that distinction increasingly difficult to maintain.