Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye are set to engage in defense talks in Riyadh next week amid an increase in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The meeting of the joint defense committee will focus on evaluating the security situation and strategizing the next steps under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement signed in August, which binds the three nations to consider an armed attack against one as an attack against all.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated that the meeting will review recent incidents attributed to the Houthis, who have intensified their attacks on Saudi territory and regional shipping lanes. The discussions aim to formulate a coordinated response based on the collective defense pact, emphasizing unity among the three nations in the face of rising regional threats.
The convening of this meeting follows ongoing diplomatic and military discussions among the foreign ministers and military chiefs of the three countries. These efforts underscore the heightened security concerns in the region, as the threat of Houthi aggression persists.
While the defense talks will focus on security measures, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic avenues for resolving regional tensions. He emphasized the importance of political dialogue alongside military preparedness to address the evolving security landscape effectively.