Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye have agreed to enhance their military and intelligence cooperation in response to increasing attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia. The decision followed a meeting of the chiefs of staff from the three nations’ armed forces in Riyadh, where they discussed measures to bolster Saudi Arabia’s defense under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed in August.
The military leaders reviewed the regional security situation and committed to improving the integration of their defensive capabilities. They emphasized their dedication to collective defense and the protection of Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity amid ongoing Houthi attacks, which have targeted Saudi-linked interests and infrastructure. The Houthi forces have also been involved in attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, raising broader regional security concerns.
In a related development, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, to discuss the recent attacks against Saudi Arabia and strategies to strengthen joint defense measures. The discussions highlighted the importance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three countries is considered an attack against all three, thereby necessitating expanded defense cooperation and stronger collective deterrence.
This recent meeting marked a concerted effort by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye to operationalize the defense agreement into tangible military and security collaboration, thereby reinforcing their commitment to regional stability and mutual security interests.