War with Houthis; Pakistan: Went to any extent necessary to defend Saudi Arabia

Elaha Sat Sep 2026 9 hours ago 46

The significance of these remarks stems from the fact that the Houthis have seized the port of Mokha within a week, taken control of Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and launched attacks deep into Saudi territory. Pakistan had previously sent approximately eight thousand troops, JF-17 fighter jets, drones, and HQ-9 air defense systems to Saudi Arabia. This situation now represents the first serious test for the "Mecca" defense agreement; an accord signed in August among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all members.


The Financial Times has reported that Pakistani officials have warned Tehran that if Riyadh formally requests assistance, Islamabad may be obligated under the Mecca defense pact to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. According to this report, published on Friday, September 17, Asim Munir, commander of the Pakistani army, has repeatedly urged Tehran during recent meetings with Islamic Republic officials to use its influence over the Houthis to halt attacks on Saudi Arabia and the country's energy infrastructure. Pakistani officials have stated that continued attacks could place Islamabad in a position to fulfill its defense commitments if Riyadh makes a formal request; however, Saudi Arabia has not yet officially requested activation of the pact's collective defense mechanism.


The Mecca defense pact expands military cooperation among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey and is based on the principle of collective defense similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Pakistani officials have said there is no ambiguity regarding their country's readiness to fulfill the obligations of this agreement; however, it remains unclear what scope and form any potential military response from Islamabad might take. Full implementation of this agreement in Turkey also requires approval from that country's parliament. These developments come as recent statements from Pakistan have been described as the largest show of strength by the country since Saudi Arabia and Pakistan joined as founding members of the "Mecca" military coalition last month, raising the likelihood of the world's only Islamic nuclear power entering a conflict that has already spiraled out of regional control.


Despite Islamabad's fresh stance, Pakistan has sought in recent years to balance its close relations with Saudi Arabia and its ties with the Islamic Republic. The country had previously stationed significant military forces in Saudi Arabia as well; but in 2015, it refrained from joining the Saudi-led coalition operations in Yemen. Now, the Houthi advances and the commitments outlined in the Mecca defense pact have confronted this long-standing balance with a new test.



Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistani army, has stated that Islamabad will go to whatever level is necessary to defend Saudi Arabia if needed. He emphasized to Arab News on Thursday, September 17, that Pakistan will stand alongside Riyadh both diplomatically and operationally. This stance indicates that Pakistan is considering the possibility of entering the Middle East conflict and confronting the "Houthi rebels."

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