Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Defense, said that the meeting of the “Political and Defense Strategy Committee” of the “Mecca Defense Alliance” confirmed the solidarity and standing of its countries as one to confront the attacks on the Kingdom and the holy sites, and to activate collective deterrence against them and all those who stand behind them within the framework of the alliance.
A joint statement stated that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey discussed, during the emergency meeting of the committee in Riyadh on Monday, the security developments and threats facing the Kingdom, and condemned in the strongest terms the attempt to target Mecca and Medina, and the continued attacks on cities and civil and economic facilities, affirming their categorical rejection of any attack or threat to the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.
The committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of joint defense obligations, and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed-upon military forces and capabilities and quickly deploy them in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the approved arrangements and national legislation of the states parties, in a way that enhances readiness, military integration, and the collective ability to confront and respond to threats.
The NATO countries stressed that the security of each of them is part of the collective security of all of them, noting that translating the agreement into practical measures embodies the credibility of the commitment to joint defense, enhances the effectiveness of deterrence, and confirms the unity of the three parties and their determination to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
Pakistan and Turkey praised the alertness and readiness of the Saudi armed forces, and the professional performance and high efficiency they demonstrated in confronting the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom, and protecting its security and territorial integrity.
Within the framework of the institutional building of the “Mecca Defense Alliance,” the committee decided to appoint retired Lieutenant General Noman Mahmoud, from Pakistan, as the first Secretary-General for a period of three years, wishing him success in performing his duties, and expressing its confidence in his contribution to developing the alliance and achieving its goals.
The committee reviewed the results of the political and military consultations that preceded the meeting, and approved the recommendations submitted to it, stressing that the Mecca Defense Pact embodies a firm commitment to common defense and a unified position in the face of threats.
On Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior began procedures to correct the conditions of all Yemenis who are in the country irregularly, in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to respond to the request of the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi.
The Interior Ministry stated, in a statement, that the correction procedures had begun in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Human Resources and Social Development and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), as an extension of the continuous support and brotherly positions provided by the Saudi leadership to the Yemeni people.
The statement confirmed that benefiting from the correction requires the presence of a Yemeni passport, explaining that the start date of the procedures and controls will be announced through the official accounts of the Saudi “Passport Directorate” and the relevant authorities.
For his part, Al-Alimi extended his sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for the directives to correct the conditions of the Yemenis in Saudi Arabia, stressing that they embody the Kingdom’s strong commitment to supporting Yemen and its people, alleviating their suffering, and achieving their aspirations for security, stability and peace.
In turn, the Yemeni government highly valued this initiative, which embodies the depth of brotherhood and historical ties between the two countries and the two peoples, explaining that it confirms the authentic humanitarian approach of Saudi Arabia in standing by the Yemenis and taking into consideration their situations in various circumstances.
A statement by the Yemeni Council of Ministers confirmed that this initiative was an extension of Saudi Arabia’s fraternal positions and continuous support for Yemen and its people, and reflects the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries, which goes beyond political and economic support to directly standing by the Yemeni people and preserving their dignity.
The Yemeni government renewed its appreciation for Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government and people, stressing that the Kingdom’s positions will remain a matter of deep pride and appreciation among Yemenis, and that this firm brotherhood represents an essential pillar in the path of protecting Yemen and restoring its state, security and stability.
Saudi Arabia confirmed that the terrorist Houthi militia chose continued military escalation and rejected peace, renewing the Kingdom’s political and military support for the Yemeni government to end the coup and restore the state and its institutions.
A statement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday, indicated that the Kingdom has made persistent and continuous efforts to support efforts to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Yemen since the militia’s coup against the legitimate Yemeni government in 2014, but the group chose escalation as an extension of its approach that rejects peace, and drags Yemen and its people into more human and economic suffering in the service and implementation of foreign agendas.
Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthis’ continued targeting of civilians and civilian and economic objects in the Kingdom, and their blatant and repeated attacks against the purest parts of the Earth, “Mecca Al-Mukarramah and Medina Al-Munawwarah,” and against the capital, Riyadh, and the cities of “Abha, Khamis Mushayt, Jazan, Najran, Taif, and Yanbu,” as well as ships in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The statement reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s inherent right to defend its lands, capabilities, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and to take all necessary measures to protect its security in accordance with international laws, reiterating its full political and military support for the Presidential Command Council, the Yemeni government, and the Yemeni people to end the coup and restore the state and its institutions from the militia.
Saudi Arabia renewed its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities, in particular the permanent members of the Security Council, implement the relevant Security Council resolutions, and provide full support to the legitimate Yemeni government to confront the terrorist Houthi militia and stop its threat to Yemen, the region and the world.
