Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey: Could the Mecca deal be a game changer against the Houthis in Yemen?

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1. 2h ago

   Turkey and Pakistan Back Saudi Arabia Under Mecca Pact

   Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to provide practical measures to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks under the activated Mecca pact. Türkiye is preparing to deploy troops and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia. However, both nations have ruled out participating in offensive military operations in Yemen, framing their deployments strictly as defensive measures. While Riyadh faces deadly Houthi attacks on its airports, analysts question whether the pact will serve as an effective deterrent against the group.

   Why it matters

   The activation of the Mecca pact follows deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi airports that highlight the widening fallout from the Yemen civil war. Islamabad has stated its role is defensive, but Riyadh's offensive in Yemen tests how long Pakistan can stay out of the fight. Turkey's foreign minister has explicitly ruled out an offensive role, emphasizing that Ankara is only weighing defensive support for Saudi Arabia.

   What is confirmed

   • Turkiye and Pakistan agreed to Saudi Arabia military deployment under the Mecca pact.
   • Turkiye is preparing to deploy troops and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia.
   • Turkey's foreign minister stated that Ankara is weighing Saudi defence support while ruling out an offensive role.
   • Islamabad maintains that its role under the pact is defensive.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Pakistan's parliament is not involved in taking on the new Gulf role under Munir's military.
   • The Mecca Pact will fail to deter Yemen's Houthis.

   What to watch next

   • Actual deployment dates and scale of Turkish and Pakistani troops and air defence systems arriving in Saudi Arabia
   • Further Houthi reactions or attacks on Saudi infrastructure in response to the pact activation
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. Al Jazeera — Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
   2. Al Jazeera — Pakistan, Turkiye join Saudi deterrence against Houthis: What that means
   3. www.aljazeera.com — Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi deterrence against Houthis: What ...
   4. Business Insider Africa — World’s most powerful military and Africa stays out as Türkiye prepares to deploy troops and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia
   5. CNN — Deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi airports highlight widening fallout from Yemen civil war
   6. dw.com — Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey: Could the Mecca deal be a game changer against the Houthis in Yemen?
   7. Reuters — Turkey's foreign minister says Ankara weighing Saudi defence support, rules out offensive role
   8. Reuters — As Munir's military takes on Gulf role, Pakistan's parliament is not involved
   9. Foundation for Defense of Democracies — The Mecca Pact Won’t Deter Yemen’s Houthis
   10. Al Jazeera — What is the Mecca defence pact?
   11. Foreign Policy — Mecca Pact, Activated
   12. Daily Sabah — Türkiye rules out ops against Houthis, vows to help Saudi defense
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