Saudi Arabia-Houthis escalation Reaches a Turning Point; Pakistan Signals Potential Activation of the “Mecca Agreement”

Sudanhorizon – Agencies

Pakistan’s Defense Minister has warned that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could trigger the “Mecca Agreement” for joint defense, while simultaneously expressing hope that the escalation could be contained and subside.

The confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi “Ansar Allah” group has intensified amidst cross-border attacks. This escalation coincides with a warning from Pakistan that continued targeting of Saudi territory could lead to the activation of the Mecca Agreement—a trilateral defense pact involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey—amidst fears of the conflict widening across the region.

While the Houthis reported that Yemeni areas were subjected to dozens of Saudi airstrikes following their attacks on the Kingdom’s south, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif affirmed that Islamabad is bound by the terms of the trilateral defense agreement and would honor its commitments if necessary.

In this context, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Houthi attacks on Saudi territory could trigger the Mecca defense alliance, a trilateral pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Speaking in an interview with Geo News, Asif stated: “Under the trilateral agreement, any aggression against one of the three nations is considered aggression against all of them; there is no ambiguity about that.”

Asif’s remarks followed Houthi attacks on several cities in southern Saudi Arabia. According to Riyadh, these attacks injured 73 civilians—including women and children—and caused damage to civilian and economic infrastructure. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, describing them as a “cowardly” act that endangered innocent lives and threatened regional peace and security, while reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Asif also emphasized that “any unprovoked aggression or spillover of the conflict from Yemen into Saudi Arabia would certainly trigger the Makkah defense alliance,” as he put it.

He added: “There should be no doubt about this. We are bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement, and we will honor them if the need arises.”

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