Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deploy troops rapidly to Saudi Arabia as part of a newly established mutual defense alliance, the three nations announced on Monday amid rising attacks from Yemen’s Houthi movement. The decision follows the signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, which commits the three countries to collective security measures if any member comes under attack.

Representatives from the three states convened in Riyadh to discuss regional developments and the practical implementation of their defense commitments. Their joint statement reaffirmed “unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.” While the statement confirmed plans for rapid deployment, it did not specify the exact role or operational scope for the forces once stationed in Saudi Arabia.

The pact brings together Turkey’s NATO-member military, Pakistan’s nuclear-capable forces, and Saudi Arabia’s strategic interests in a joint defense framework. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, along with Turkish officials including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar Güler, were among those attending the emergency meeting. Pakistani military chiefs, including Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, also participated.

Since July, Saudi Arabia has faced intensified attacks from the Houthi group, which controls significant parts of Yemen and is supported by Iran. The Houthis have targeted Saudi cities, oil infrastructure, and maritime routes, including the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. In September, the Houthis launched an offensive seizing large areas from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which, with Riyadh’s backing, initiated a counteroffensive to reclaim territory held by the Houthis for over a decade.

Yemeni government sources reported that pro-government forces recently cut off the primary supply route to the Houthi-held Red Sea port city of Mocha, a strategic location the Houthis took last month. The government stated its forces had retaken control of the city amid ongoing operations.

While the agreement signals strengthened military cooperation, regional reactions have been mixed. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei expressed hope that reports of Pakistani troop deployments to Saudi Arabia were unfounded, warning that further military intervention could complicate the conflict. Tehran has advocated for a political approach to engage the Houthis and avoid escalation.

Pakistani officials have confirmed providing Saudi Arabia with military equipment, including air defense systems and light artillery, while Turkish drones have reportedly operated over Yemen. A Pakistani official indicated that between 30,000 and 40,000 troops have been deployed to Saudi Arabia to support border defense and intercept threats, but Pakistan has not committed to sending forces into Yemen for direct combat.

Analysts differ on the effectiveness of the pact. Some regional experts express skepticism about the alliance’s capacity to mount a collective military response given current regional complexities, while others caution that delayed action against the Houthis risks further destabilization. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Dar indicated that more than six countries have shown interest in joining the agreement, although expansion awaits full operational capacity, which may take up to a year.