> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Convene Mecca Pact Committee - URL: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/turkey-saudi-arabia-and-pakistan-convene-mecca-pact-committee/ - Published: 2026-10-05T06:31:43.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-05T06:31:43.000Z - Description: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are convening the Mecca Pact’s strategic committee in Riyadh to discuss Houthi attacks, a possible political channel with the group and the alliance’s military structure as Yemen’s war intensifies. - Author: TGV Desk - Tags: Mecca Pact, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Houthis, Defence, middle-east, The Day So Far, Top Stories, has-audio Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are convening the Mecca Pact’s strategic political and defence committee in Riyadh as the three countries attempt to coordinate their response to Houthi attacks and establish the alliance as an operational security organisation. The meeting on October 5 brings together the foreign ministers, defence ministers and senior military commanders of all three members. Turkey is being represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the talks would examine recent regional developments and assess progress towards institutionalising the alliance. That process includes establishing permanent committees, military working groups, communication channels and procedures for responding when a member requests assistance. The meeting comes as Yemen’s conflict enters another dangerous phase. The Houthis have launched missiles and drones towards Saudi territory while Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have begun a major operation intended to recapture Houthi-controlled areas. Riyadh previously [activated consultations under the trilateral defence pact](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/saudi-arabia-activates-defence-pact-consultations-over-houthi-attacks/) after attacks targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and areas close to Mecca. Those consultations did not automatically commit Turkey or Pakistan to military action, but they began the formal process through which the three governments could determine what assistance should be provided. The committee will also consider an Iranian suggestion that the alliance open political discussions with the Houthis as an alternative to a broader military confrontation. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Tehran had raised the possibility during diplomatic exchanges, although he stressed that Iran had not submitted a formal written proposal. He described it as an idea offered in good faith and said the three Mecca Pact members would decide whether it could be developed into a negotiating channel. Iran has attempted to distance itself from individual Houthi operations while maintaining political support for the movement. Saudi Arabia and its allies continue to accuse Tehran of supplying the Houthis with missile, drone and other military technology. Iran denies controlling the group’s operational decisions. The diplomatic proposal is being considered alongside preparations for a much larger confrontation. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has [announced a new offensive against Houthi-controlled territory](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/saudi-arabia-prepares-major-yemeni-offensive-against-houthis/), raising the possibility that the Mecca Pact’s members could be asked to provide intelligence, air-defence equipment, drones, advisers or logistical assistance. No deployment of Turkish or Pakistani combat forces has been announced. The committee could therefore attempt to preserve two options: supporting Saudi Arabia’s territorial defence while leaving open a political channel intended to stop cross-border attacks. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Its central provision states that an armed attack against one member will be considered an attack against all three. Although the language resembles NATO’s collective-defence principle, the Mecca Pact does not yet possess NATO’s permanent headquarters, integrated command system, standing military plans or clearly established rules of engagement. The process now under discussion is intended to build some of that machinery. The strategic political and defence committee held its first meeting in Istanbul on August 31\. According to an [official Saudi statement](https://mod.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/MinistryNews/Pages/2507.aspx?ref=theglobalvoice.com), the three countries agreed to strengthen military coordination, intelligence exchange, joint exercises, defence-industrial cooperation and interoperability among their armed forces. Their senior military chiefs met again in Riyadh on September 25, condemning Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and discussing closer coordination. The October meeting expands that process by bringing the political and military leadership together while an active regional crisis is unfolding. --- Each member brings a different strategic capability. Turkey possesses NATO’s second-largest military and an expanding defence industry producing drones, missiles, armoured vehicles and warships. Pakistan contributes a large, experienced military and an established defence relationship with Saudi Arabia. Riyadh provides financial resources, energy influence and a central position in Gulf and Red Sea security. Pakistan has said that more than six countries have expressed interest in joining the pact. Islamabad has not named them and says new applications will not be considered until the alliance becomes fully operational, a process that could take up to a year. The Riyadh talks are consequently about more than the immediate Houthi threat. They will help determine whether the Mecca Pact becomes a functioning collective-defence organisation or remains a declaration of political solidarity. That question has acquired greater urgency as instability affects both sides of the Arabian Peninsula. Houthi forces have increased pressure around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has already threatened energy shipments. Saudi Arabia and Russia have consequently [called for safe passage through both strategic waterways](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/russia-and-saudi-arabia-push-to-reopen-hormuz-and-bab-el-mandeb/). The committee’s immediate challenge will be deciding how far its members are prepared to go for Saudi Arabia without being pulled into another prolonged Yemen war. Political engagement could provide an exit, but continued attacks may force the alliance to demonstrate what its collective-defence promise means in practice.