Mecca Joint Defense Agreement tested by Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA), a collective security pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye in early August, is facing its first major test following a wave of ballistic-missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis against Saudi Arabian cities and energy infrastructure.

The agreement, which functions similarly to NATO’s Article 5 by stating an attack on one member is an attack on all, has raised questions regarding the commitment of its signatories. While Pakistan maintains approximately 8,000 troops in Saudi Arabia and its defense minister previously suggested the pact could be activated, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry later clarified that no military response under the agreement had been discussed.

Analysts have compared the MJDA to historical alliances, such as the Cold War-era Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), suggesting it may serve more as a forum for diplomatic promises rather than a robust military deterrent. There are concerns that if the pact fails to trigger a response to these attacks, its credibility as a regional security mechanism may be compromised.