Pakistan finalizes Mecca pact as Houthi strikes test Saudi defenses

Ordinary residents in southwestern Saudi Arabia received safety warnings this week as the kingdom faced renewed attacks from Yemen’s Houthi movement. The alerts covered areas including Abha and Khamis Mushait. Civil Defence officials later stated the danger had passed but advised citizens to avoid gathering or filming in those zones. Authorities did not specify the exact nature of the threat.

These security concerns coincide with the formal activation of a multilateral defense framework. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed on Friday that Islamabad and Riyadh have completed their ratification procedures for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The three nations signed the document on 7 August in Mecca. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were present at the signing. Khan noted that operational details remain under discussion by the three parties.

The pact commits the signatories to collective defense if any one member faces an external armed attack. The specific level of assistance depends on the circumstances at the time of the attack. Islamabad described the arrangement as strictly defensive and consistent with the United Nations Charter. Turkey has not yet completed its domestic approval process, meaning the agreement is not yet fully ratified by all three signatories.

Implementation efforts accelerated following a meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee on 5 October. That body called for the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia when needed. Such deployments must still comply with each nation’s domestic laws. Reuters reported on 21 October that Riyadh’s allies were primarily providing defensive support to protect infrastructure against further Houthi missile and drone strikes.

Regional military activity has increased as the conflict approaches its eighth month. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States might launch another military operation against Iran. A report from The Business Times citing US officials indicated that American and Israeli forces have drawn up plans for fresh strikes. These plans are timed for after the US midterm elections on 3 November. Potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone capabilities.

The Israeli military announced large-scale exercises for Sunday and Monday in the north and center of the country. Air force units and forces from the Northern and Central Commands will participate. The drills will rehearse scenarios involving surprise air and land attacks and infiltrations. The military stated the exercises are designed to test readiness to defend against multi-front attacks and prepare for possible escalation along Israel’s borders.