A committee representing the Mecca defense pact, comprising Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, is scheduled to meet in Riyadh on Monday to discuss developments related to the conflict in Yemen. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the attendance of Turkish ministers at the gathering.

The meeting follows a significant escalation in Yemen’s ongoing war, as the leader of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announced the launch of a major military operation aimed at reclaiming territory held by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. The operation was initiated earlier on Sunday, signaling an intensification of hostilities between the pro-government forces and the Houthi rebels.

The Mecca defense pact, established to promote security cooperation among its member states, seeks to coordinate responses to regional conflicts such as the Yemeni war, where dynamics have been shaped by competing influences from regional powers. The involvement of Turkey in the discussions highlights the broader geopolitical interests at play, alongside Saudi Arabia’s direct military engagement and Pakistan’s strategic partnership.

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, causing a severe humanitarian crisis and drawing in multiple external actors. The recent announcement of the new military campaign raises concerns about further escalation, which the upcoming meeting aims to address through diplomatic and security coordination.