Türkiye and Pakistan to send troops to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate

Türkiye and Pakistan are to deploy military personnel to Saudi Arabia, after the three countries agreed to activate their joint defence pact in response to attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants. 

The decision followed an emergency meeting of defence and foreign ministers in Riyadh on Monday. It is the first time the alliance, known as the Mecca Alliance for Defence, has been invoked since it was signed on 7 August.

The agreement states that an attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all, echoing a central principle of NATO's founding treaty.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, said the members had agreed to “activate collective deterrence measures” in response to the attacks and those responsible for them. In a social media post, he said the alliance had reaffirmed its unity “in confronting the heinous attacks against the Kingdom, and holy sites”.

A joint statement published by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the three countries would provide “the agreed military forces and capabilities” and ensure their “rapid deployment” to Saudi Arabia.

It said the commitments would be carried out under “approved arrangements” and in line with each country's laws. No details were given on the number of troops involved or when they would arrive.

The announcement came hours after forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government launched a counter-offensive to retake territory seized last month by the Iran-aligned Houthis.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni forces say they have recaptured the Red Sea port city of Mocha and now control the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Saudi-led coalition has confirmed it is taking part in the offensive, saying 100 of its fighter jets are providing air support.

The Houthis, for their part, claimed to have attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in the coastal city of Rabigh. The group also said it had struck other sites, including an airport and an airbase.

There has been no confirmation from Riyadh of the Houthi claims.

Read more from the Middle East:

• Yemeni forces retake strategic coast as Mecca defence pact is activated
• Houthis claim strike on Saudi energy facility as Yemen's armed forces target Sanaa
• Middle East redraws routes and alliances as regional tensions deepen

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News Politics Pakistan Yemen Turkiye Yemen's Houthis