Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan Activate Makkah Defense Alliance
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan activated a collective defense pact and agreed to rapid military deployments following Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and holy cities.
The Government of Saudi Arabia, the Government of Türkiye, and the Government of Pakistan activated collective defense measures under the Makkah Alliance for Defense on October 5, 2026. During an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh, the three nations agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia to counter ongoing security threats. The alliance, established by a pact signed on August 7, treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
The activation follows approximately 17 to 18 Houthi missile and drone attacks against Saudi civilian, economic, and strategic infrastructure between September 21 and 22, including attempted strikes on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. As part of the alliance's institutionalization, the committee appointed retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General for a three-year term to lead a permanent secretariat in Riyadh.
These diplomatic and military escalations coincide with a major offensive by the Saudi-backed government in Yemen to reclaim territory from the Houthi Movement. While the alliance considered a proposal from Iran to engage the Houthis politically, Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign in Yemen to counter Houthi control over strategic Red Sea sites, including Mocha and Perim island. The United States government supported the Saudi campaign by dispatching 100 military advisors to provide intelligence and targeting support.
