Mecca Pact Takes Shape: Saudi Arabia to Lead Houthi Fight, Pakistan and Turkey to Support

Mecca Pact Structure Finalised as Saudi Leads Houthi Fight, Pakistan and Turkey Offer Support

The organisational framework of the Mecca Pact has been formally approved, with the appointment of its secretary-general ratified, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said. He clarified that the pact’s latest meeting focused on establishing its institutional structure rather than coordinating ongoing military operations in Yemen.

“The structure of Mecca Pact has been formalised, the Secretary-General appointed for Makkah Pact has been ratified, and all related matters have been fully ratified,” Asif said.

His remarks came as Saudi Arabia continues military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, amid renewed instability in the country.

Saudi Arabia Leading Combat Operations

According to Asif, Saudi forces are directly engaged in combat with the Houthis, while Pakistani and Turkish forces are present in Saudi Arabia in a supporting capacity.

“As for the Houthi situation, Saudi Arabia has engaged in combat against the Houthis,” he said.

Asif said the Houthis have adopted a defensive posture after making territorial gains in parts of Yemen over the past month. The Yemeni government, he added, is seeking to retake those areas.

“The Houthis have adopted a defensive stance, and over the past month, they captured certain areas in Yemen which the government now wants to recapture,” he said.

Pakistan, Turkey Not Directly Involved in Fighting

Asif stressed that the presence of Pakistani and Turkish personnel in Saudi Arabia should not be interpreted as direct participation in the current combat.

“Pakistan and Turkey both countries have their presence there. However, Saudi Arabia is fighting its own battles against the Houthis where combat is active, while we are present and providing whatever type of assistance and support is needed,” he said.

He later described the role of both countries’ armed forces as supportive rather than frontline combat.

“We are currently at a position where the armed forces of Turkey and Pakistan are playing a supportive role,” Asif said.

Pact Focuses on Broader Security Cooperation

The defence minister also drew a distinction between the Mecca Pact and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing military campaign in Yemen.

“The meetings were not held for this specific combat purpose; rather, it was our organizational structure that was formalised today,” he said.

The pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey is intended to provide a framework for closer defence and security cooperation among the three countries. Its formalisation comes as instability in Yemen continues to pose broader security concerns across the Gulf.

Reconstruction Also on Agenda

Asif said cooperation under the arrangement is not limited to military assistance. Reconstruction and related efforts are also expected to form part of the engagement.

“Definitely, reconstruction and all those things are areas where we are involved, but combat is practically being carried out by Saudi Arabia’s own forces, and they are the ones reclaiming those areas,” he said.

The comments underline the current division of roles: Saudi Arabia remains responsible for active combat operations against the Houthis, while Pakistan and Turkey are providing broader military and other support under the emerging security framework.