Lajme flash
The agreement with Saudi Arabia, will Turkey and Pakistan be involved in the Middle East conflict?
2026-09-19 21:41:00 / BOTA
The escalation of fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen is confronting Pakistan with a difficult dilemma. The mutual defense agreement with Riyadh and Turkey stipulates that an attack on one of the countries is considered an attack on all, raising concerns that Islamabad could be drawn into another regional conflict.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia initially signed a significant defense agreement, which in August 2026 was expanded to include Turkey and named the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
According to the agreement, an armed attack on one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all three. However, it remains unclear under what specific circumstances the obligation for military intervention is triggered.
The situation has become significantly more complicated following the advance of Houthi forces on parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast and attacks on targets in Saudi territory.
In early September, the Houthis seized control of the important port of Mocha and advanced along the Red Sea coast, raising concerns about the security of shipping routes and Saudi oil exports. Saudi Arabia responded with an intensified campaign of airstrikes.
On September 16, Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca and described the security of the holy city as a “red line.” The Houthis denied targeting Mecca.
Pakistan: We are engaged, but without decisive military intervention
As pressure on Pakistan has increased, the government in Islamabad has stated that it remains committed to the agreement, but has so far not discussed any military response to the Houthi attacks.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated on September 10 that no military measures were discussed under the Mecca agreement, despite the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia.
This puts Pakistan in a delicate position. On the one hand, relations with Saudi Arabia are of great economic and strategic importance to Islamabad. On the other hand, direct involvement in the fighting in Yemen could create significant security consequences within Pakistan and in relations with Iran.
The Houthis are supported by Iran, and any military intervention by Pakistan on the side of Saudi Arabia could be perceived in Tehran as a clearer positioning against it.
Analysts cited by The Guardian argue that Pakistan's involvement would have significant consequences, particularly due to Islamabad's complicated relations with Iran, the internal security situation and tensions along the border with Afghanistan.
The concern is also related to the fact that Pakistan is facing economic problems and armed threats on its borders in parallel.
Turkey also does not want to get involved in the war
Pakistan is not the only member of the agreement facing this dilemma. Turkey has also signaled that it does not want to be directly involved in the fighting in Yemen.
Meanwhile, the United States has chosen not to militarily support a Saudi offensive against the Houthis, after contacts with representatives of the group in Oman. According to reports, Washington is focused on maintaining the security of navigation in the Red Sea and avoiding the opening of a new front.
An agreement facing its first test
The Mecca Agreement was created at a time of rising regional tensions and aimed to strengthen collective defense among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. But the escalation in Yemen is putting it to its first real test.
The main question remains what would be considered an attack that activates the collective defense mechanism and whether Saudi operations inside Yemen would necessitate intervention by the allies.
So far, Pakistan has supported Saudi Arabia in statements and condemned the Houthi attacks, but has not announced any troop deployment to Yemen. If the fighting escalates further, Islamabad would face a difficult choice between its defense treaty obligations, its economic interests, and the need to avoid the conflict spilling over into its own territory and security space.
Po ndodh...
The "small flower" and the big problem of Rama and Berisha!
Nga Ermal Peçi
ide
It's not the Cauliflower Trust, it's the Aruba Cartel!
Nga Gjergj Erebara
Tri krizat dhe tri zgjidhjet
Nga Përparim Gjeka
Innocence for the liberators, so that history is not judged!
Nga Azgan Haklaj
top
receta Alfa
TRENDING 
shërbime
- POLICIA129
- POLICIA RRUGORE126
- URGJENCA112
- ZJARRFIKESJA128