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Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Weigh Response to Houthi Attacks
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a defense agreement.
The agreement says an attack on one country can be treated as an attack on all three.
The countries are discussing what to do after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
A Pakistani security source said military officials are coordinating a possible response.
The source also said Pakistani forces are ready in Saudi Arabia and near the Red Sea.
The Houthis reportedly attacked an airbase and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi spokesperson said Saudi Arabia had carried out many airstrikes in Yemen.
The three countries have not publicly announced that the defense agreement has been activated.
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are discussing a joint response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
A security source said Pakistan’s army chief’s office contacted Riyadh and Ankara about a strategic response.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, treats an attack on one member as an attack on all three.
The source said Pakistani air force and infantry units are on standby in Saudi Arabia, while naval assets moved to the Red Sea.
Houthis reportedly struck a Saudi airbase and oil infrastructure, while their spokesperson cited Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
- Who
- Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis are central to the report; military officials from the three countries are discussing a response.
- What
- The three countries are considering whether and how to respond jointly to escalating Houthi attacks under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
- Where
- The reported attacks and possible response involve Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Red Sea, with discussions involving Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The report was published on September 10, 2026; the agreement was signed on August 7, 2026.
- Why
- The discussions followed reported Houthi strikes on Saudi targets and a wider escalation of fighting in Yemen.
Saudi-led account
Houthi account
Reason for possible joint response
Saudi-led account
A Pakistani security source said continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could lead to activation of the Makkah defense pact and a coordinated response.
Houthi account
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Saudi warplanes had conducted 54 airstrikes across Yemen in 12 hours and warned that the attacks would not go unanswered.
Reported attacks and casualties
Saudi-led account
The report said Houthis struck Khamis Mushait airbase and nearby oil infrastructure, reportedly wounding 73 people.
Houthi account
The Houthi spokesperson presented Saudi airstrikes in Yemen as the reason for threatened retaliation.
Key facts
- Defense agreement
- The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement links Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in collective security.
- Signing date
- August 7, 2026
- Agreement provision
- An armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three.
- Reported Saudi casualties
- A Houthi attack reportedly wounded 73 people.
- Reported targets
- An airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby Saudi cities.
- Pakistan’s reported posture
- Air force and infantry units were reportedly on standby in Saudi Arabia, with naval assets moved to the Red Sea.
- Military contacts
- Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s office reportedly contacted Riyadh and Ankara.
Quotes
A top security source in Rawalpindi
An unnamed security source familiar with Pakistan’s consultations with Saudi Arabia and Turkey
“prepared to stand by Saudi Arabia under the joint defence agreement and Makkah pact”
news18.com
Sources
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