Meeting of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Foreign Ministers amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

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How will Pakistan and Türkiye help Saudi Arabia after the attacks by Houthi rebels on it increase? The foreign ministers of the three countries have talked about this under their common defense agreement. But no decision has been taken yet on military assistance or joint action against the Houthi rebels.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to BBC Urdu report, he reviewed the progress made in setting up secretariat, committees and working groups under the 'Makkah Joint Defense Agreement'.

There was also discussion on calling an immediate meeting of the chiefs of armies of the three countries. There will be discussion on ways to help Saudi Arabia. The date of this military meeting has not been given.

It has also not been made clear what kind of help can be given to Saudi Arabia. According to Al Jazeera, the formal implementation of the agreement has not been announced yet.

What is the Mecca Defense Agreement?

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed this agreement in Mecca on 7 August 2026. It says that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be considered an attack on all.

After the signing, on August 31, the foreign and defense ministers and military officials of the three countries held the first meeting related to the agreement in Istanbul. There it was agreed to create a secretariat in Saudi Arabia and increase cooperation in defense matters.

But this condition of the agreement itself does not tell what the armies of the three countries will do in case of an attack. After the signing of the agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had said that the country which is attacked will have to ask for help and tell what it needs.

According to him, help can be in the form of intelligence information, military equipment or soldiers. But it has not been announced openly yet.

Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis, also known as 'Ansar Allah', are an armed group in Yemen. It began as a movement associated with the Zaidi Shia community in the Saada region of northern Yemen. The group took control of the capital Sanaa in 2014.

Today, Houthi rebels control large parts of the north and north-west of Yemen. In recent battles, they have also increased their control along the Red Sea coast.

On the other hand, Yemen's internationally recognized government is headed by the Presidential Leadership Council. He has the support of Saudi Arabia.

After the capture of Sanaa by Houthi rebels, in March 2015, Saudi Arabia started military action in support of the then recognized government of Yemen. The Houthi rebels are supported by Iran, although the group also has its own local interests and goals.

How did the fighting intensify again?

The fighting had reduced significantly after the UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022. But this did not end the conflict in Yemen.

In July 2026, Houthi rebels announced to stop the maritime movement of Saudi ships. The group called it a response to the restrictions imposed on its areas.

After this, fighting increased inside Yemen and news of missile and drone attacks started coming towards Saudi Arabia. These incidents occurred at a time when fighting was also intensifying on the Red Sea coast between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

Common people are also paying the price of this war in Yemen. Al Jazeera quoted the United Nations Refugee Agency as saying that since the beginning of September, more than 2.3 lakh people have been forced to leave their homes.

Why are Yanbu and sea routes important for Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is facing the question of security of its cities and oil related sites. Its Yanbu port on the Red Sea is important for oil exports. A pipeline reaches Yanbu from the country's eastern oil fields. The importance of this route has increased further due to disruption in the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, off the coast of Yemen, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This is an important route for ships. After the recent advance of Houthi rebels on the Red Sea coast, concerns have also increased about the security of movement from here.

Saudi Arabia says its air defense systems on Thursday shot down six ballistic missiles fired towards Taif and Yanbu. On the other hand, Houthi rebels have claimed missile and drone attacks on a base in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Officials have not confirmed any damage caused by these claims.

According to a live report by BBC Persian, the United Nations Security Council has condemned the increasing attacks by Houthi rebels on civilian and energy-related targets in Saudi Arabia.

According to BBC Urdu, the three foreign ministers condemned the attacks targeting civilian and economic targets in Mecca and Saudi Arabia. He also supported Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter.

What has been decided so far?

The concrete step that has come forward so far is the discussion on convening a meeting of foreign ministers and service chiefs. Pakistan and Turkey have not announced military action against Houthi rebels.

BBC Urdu has also given the statement of Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus that the agreement is not against any particular country.

He expressed hope that in future other Muslim countries including Iran can join it and the agreement can be presented for approval in the Turkish Parliament from October.

What help are other countries giving to Saudi Arabia?

According to Al Jazeera, apart from talks with Pakistan and Türkiye, Saudi Arabia has also received assurances of help from other countries. Britain has agreed to provide fuel to Saudi fighter planes during flight.

France has said it will send troops, radar and defense systems to protect Yanbu port. Both countries have linked these steps to the security of Saudi Arabia. However, this help is separate from the Mecca Defense Agreement.

What is the government of Yemen doing?

The war in Yemen is not going on only between Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces are also fighting against Houthi rebels.

This week he claimed to have taken control of some important high places near Taiz and to stop attacks by Houthi rebels.

At the same time, the foreign ministers of G-7, a group of seven major industrialized countries, have also condemned the attacks by Houthi rebels in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.