The ministers reviewed plans to establish the agreement’s general secretariat, committees and working groups and discussed preparations for them to begin operating….reports Arab Daily News Desk
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have discussed defence coordination after a series of Houthi attacks on the Kingdom, with the three countries preparing an urgent meeting of their military chiefs under a new joint defence agreement.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in New York on Thursday to discuss the implementation of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The ministers reviewed plans to establish the agreement’s general secretariat, committees and working groups and discussed preparations for them to begin operating. They also agreed to arrange an urgent meeting of the three countries’ chiefs of staff to consider ways of supporting Saudi Arabia.
The agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye in August, states that an armed attack against one of the three parties constitutes an attack against all.
The talks came as Yemen’s Houthi movement intensified attacks on Saudi targets. Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted six ballistic missiles launched towards the Kingdom on Thursday, with the missiles destroyed near the cities of Taif and Yanbu.
Saudi authorities had also issued emergency warnings covering several areas, including Makkah and Jeddah, as the attacks raised concerns over the security of major population centres and energy infrastructure.
The three foreign ministers condemned attacks targeting Makkah and Saudi civilian and economic facilities. They praised the Saudi armed forces and reaffirmed Riyadh’s right to take measures it considers necessary to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
They also stressed the importance of international law, state sovereignty, good neighbourly relations and freedom of navigation, while calling for efforts to reduce regional tensions and pursue peaceful solutions.
The escalation has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia’s security arrangements as Houthi attacks have extended beyond Yemen. The group has targeted Saudi territory and shipping routes during the wider regional conflict, creating concerns over energy infrastructure and maritime trade.
Türkiye has already indicated that it is prepared to provide military support to Saudi Arabia under the new agreement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said last week that Ankara could assist with Saudi military requirements, while Pakistan has also reiterated its commitment to the pact.
The developments have also highlighted questions over Iran’s relationship with the Houthis. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a television interview that the Houthis were responsible for their own actions, distancing Tehran from direct responsibility for the group’s attacks.
The meeting between the three foreign ministers comes as diplomatic efforts continue to contain the wider regional conflict. Tehran has separately been discussing proposals with Washington through intermediaries that could involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities.
For Saudi Arabia, the immediate focus is on strengthening air defence and protecting key civilian, economic and energy facilities as Houthi attacks continue.
The planned chiefs-of-staff meeting will provide an early test of how the Makkah agreement can translate its collective-defence commitment into practical military coordination.
