The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed on August 7, 2026 - coming amid the Iran war and fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz, which is what made the timing of an agreement modeled on NATO's Article 5 'collective defense' between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey so curious. It immediately begged the question, will Riyadh's Mecca pact allies intervene on its behalf? ...Given the kingdom's soil has been attacked by Iranians, Houthis, and even Iraqi paramilitaries of late
Riyadh has been generally calling for more urgent support from its allies, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even recently appealing for President Trump to help militarily in Yemen, but the White House appears to have shrugged it off, not wanting to escalate the Iran conflict and Hormuz crisis into a full regional war and operation.
Has the time come for Pakistan to step up further in support of its Saudi ally? Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif thinks so.
During an interview with Pakistani TV channel Geo News, Asif affirmed that his country remains committed to defending the kingdom, also calling it a duty to protect Islam's holy sites.
"The Mecca agreement applies to us as well, and we will fulfill our duty," Asif said.
"If there is an attack on Mecca, there is no need for an agreement to protect it," he said.
Al Jazeera on Thursday cited the Pakistani defense chief as indicating that "the time has come to implement the Mecca agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye due to recent Houthi attacks." He also described that Islamabad is pressuring Tehran regarding Houthi actions.
Just two days ago, Saudi Arabia accused the Iran-backed Houthi rebels of targeting Mecca with a one-way attack drone. It was said to be headed "toward" the Islamic holy city from Yemen, which however the Houthi military spokesman vehemently denied.
The kingdom called it a 'red line' and sought to garner support and sympathy from external countries. "The security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line, and the Joint Forces Command of the coalition will not hesitate to take the necessary and deterrent measures against the Terrorist Houthi Militia," the kingdom said.
As for Pakistan's Asif, he was cited further as saying, "I don’t think Iran as a state will open another front" - and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to preventing the conflict from expanding. Also per Newsquawk:
- Pakistani Army Chief reportedly urged Iran to convince the Yemeni Houthis to not attack Saudi Arabian energy facilities, according to Kan's Kais
- Iranian Foreign Ministry says the attack on holy sites, especially Mecca, is a condemned act, Al Arabiya reports
Even before the Mecca accords were signed, Islamabad and Riyadh had deep defense cooperation. For example, last spring Pakistan had alreadly deployed some 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets, and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia - as we previously highlighted.
Turkey is said to be preparing support to its Saudi ally, but will likely seek to walk a fine line, not wanting to get enmeshed in Yemen directly, also fearing the safety of its Red Sea transit.