NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan are preparing for an urgent meeting of their military chiefs to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under a recently signed trilateral defence agreement, as fighting in Yemen intensifies and new attacks have been reported against Saudi territory.
The planned meeting was discussed during consultations between the foreign ministers of the three countries in New York on Thursday.
The meeting brought together Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The ministers discussed ways to support Saudi Arabia through the new trilateral defence agreement and reviewed preparations for the meeting of the three countries’ military chiefs.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement also provides a framework for expanding defence cooperation and military coordination among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.
The defence cooperation was further strengthened during a meeting in Istanbul on August 31, attended by the foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs of the three countries. The officials agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia and increase military cooperation.
The latest discussions come as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks from Yemen.
Saudi authorities said their air-defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward the cities of Taif and Yanbu. Security warnings were also issued in several areas before authorities later said the threat had passed.
The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have carried out missile and drone attacks targeting what they described as a “sensitive” site in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in Yanbu. The claims have not been independently verified.
Saudi coalition spokesman General Turki al-Malki warned that continued attacks would face a strong response.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting has been reported on several fronts in Yemen, with government forces and Houthi fighters battling for strategic positions.
Fighting has been reported around the Kahboub mountains and areas between Lahj and Taiz, near the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthis have also reportedly strengthened their presence along the Red Sea coast, raising concerns about the security of the Bab al-Mandeb, a major international shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The renewed fighting has also had a significant impact on civilians, with tens of thousands of people reportedly displaced since the latest escalation began. Yemen already has millions of internally displaced people as a result of the country’s prolonged conflict.
The planned meeting between the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan is expected to focus on defence coordination and the implementation of the trilateral agreement as tensions surrounding Yemen and the wider region continue to rise.
