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Pakistan warns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate Mecca Pact
Following a series of Houthi missile and drone strikes on southern Saudi Arabian cities—including Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait—that reportedly wounded at least 73 people, Pakistan has signaled that the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement could be activated.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the pact, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. He warned that the agreement would become operational if unprovoked aggression or the Yemen conflict spills into Saudi Arabian territory. While some reports suggest Islamabad is weighing potential airstrikes against Houthi positions in Saada, Yemen, other officials have clarified that any military involvement would be limited to defending Saudi territory and that the pact is a defensive, not offensive, alliance.
In a diplomatic move, Pakistan has also conveyed a message from Saudi Arabia to Iran, urging Tehran to use its influence to restrain Houthi attacks. While an Iranian official confirmed receiving the message, some reports suggest Tehran previously promised support to the Houthi movement. The escalation has raised significant concerns regarding regional stability and the potential for a wider proxy conflict in the Middle East.
Entities
Houthi militia · Houthis · Khawaja Asif · Makkah Defence Pact · Pakistan · Pakistan · Saudi Arabia · Saudi Arabia · Shehbaz Sharif · Turkey · Turkey · Türkiye
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 13 SOURCES] Houthi missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia injured at least 73 people. en.dailypakistan.com.pk · www.timesnownews.com · axadletimes.com · www.almashhad.news · stvincenttribune.com · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Makkah Defence Pact was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye on August 7. en.dailypakistan.com.pk · www.timesnownews.com · dailytimes.com.pk · stvincenttribune.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The pact includes a collective defence commitment where an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three. en.dailypakistan.com.pk · www.timesnownews.com · axadletimes.com · dailytimes.com.pk · stvincenttribune.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Makkah Defence Alliance established a secretariat in Saudi Arabia with a Pakistani secretary-general for a three-year term.
- [● 12 SOURCES] Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that unprovoked aggression against Saudi Arabia could activate the Makkah Defence Pact. en.dailypakistan.com.pk · www.timesnownews.com · axadletimes.com · dailytimes.com.pk · stvincenttribune.com · +4 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Defence Minister Khawaja Asif clarified that the alliance is defensive and not intended for unprovoked attacks on other nations. www.timesnownews.com · en.dailypakistan.com.pk · dailytimes.com.pk · axadletimes.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pakistan acted as a diplomatic intermediary to convey a Saudi Arabian request to Iran to restrain Houthi militia activities. timesofmiddleeast.com · cryptobriefing.com · time.news · tob.news
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pakistan is considering conducting airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen from Saudi Arabian territory. axadletimes.com · negarmag.com · somaliatoday.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Pakistan stated that unprovoked aggression against Saudi Arabia could activate the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. yalibnan.com · axadletimes.com · stvincenttribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · www.almashhad.news
- [● 8 SOURCES] Houthi militia carried out coordinated strikes across Abha, Jazan, Khamis Mushait, and Najran. www.indiandefensenews.in · axadletimes.com · somaliatoday.com · www.almashhad.news · nayadaur.tv · +3 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Houthi attacks in southern Saudi Arabia wounded at least 73 people. www.indiandefensenews.in · yalibnan.com · axadletimes.com · somaliatoday.com · stvincenttribune.com · +6 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Houthi forces claimed to have repelled an offensive by Saudi-backed government troops in al-Jawf province. southfront.press