Makkah defence pact meeting begins in Riyadh

A high-level meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is set to take place in Riyadh on Monday as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye review the latest regional security situation and discuss closer defence cooperation.

Pakistan will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

Foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will also attend the meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC).

The Foreign Office said the participants will assess recent developments in the region and review cooperation under the framework of the Makkah Agreement. Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to supporting regional peace and stability through the emerging defence partnership.

Dar reached Madina ahead of the meeting and visited the Prophet’s Mosque, where he offered prayers. He then travelled to Riyadh, where he will join Field Marshal Munir and Khawaja Asif for the high-level discussions.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Dar had earlier described the gathering as an emergency meeting, saying recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia would be among the key issues under discussion.

The security situation has intensified in recent days, with Saudi-led forces launching military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The Houthis have also claimed attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia, including an Aramco facility near Riyadh, using missiles and drones.

The latest developments have increased concerns over regional stability and the security of vital routes around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are therefore expected to discuss ways to strengthen coordination and collective deterrence.

The Makkah defence agreement was signed on August 7 with the aim of strengthening security cooperation among its members. A central element of the pact is the principle that an armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all signatories.

The first SPDC meeting was held in Istanbul on August 31. During that meeting, Pakistan was selected to initially host and lead the alliance’s secretariat for three years. Retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was subsequently appointed as its first secretary general.

The three countries have already stepped up military coordination. Their military chiefs met in Riyadh on September 25 for urgent consultations following the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s security. Military authorities have said Islamabad would take all necessary measures to defend the Gulf kingdom, while the defence minister has also pledged practical and diplomatic support if tensions escalate further.

The Riyadh meeting is expected to provide an important platform for the three countries to coordinate their response to the changing regional security environment and strengthen the implementation of the Makkah defence framework.