Mecca Pact Activated: Why Saudi Arabia, Pakistan & Türkiye Are Building A New Defence Shield

The Mecca Defence Pact has moved into its next phase. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held an emergency meeting in Riyadh on October 5 and agreed to move towards the practical implementation of their collective-defence commitments, including measures to ensure the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia. The move comes amid a sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have advanced around the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, while Houthi forces have claimed attacks on Saudi targets including airports and critical infrastructure. So what does the activation of the Mecca Pact actually mean? Will Pakistan and Türkiye send combat troops, or will their role focus on air defence, logistics, training and other military capabilities? How far could this alliance go — and could it evolve into a new regional security architecture?