Khawaja Asif Signals Readiness for Makkah Defence Pact Amid Houthi Aggression

In light of recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has indicated that the Makkah Defence Alliance—comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye—could soon become operational. This tripartite agreement, signed on August 7, emphasizes a collective defense posture, where an attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all.

Following a series of missile strikes by Houthi rebels that left 73 injured in Saudi Arabia, Asif appeared on Geo News, where he affirmed the alliance's readiness to respond to aggression. He stated, "This is a joint defence pact. And unprovoked aggression or spillover of whatever is happening in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, definitely, the pact will become operational; there should be no doubt in this." He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to react under the terms of the pact if necessary.

Asif, however, noted that he was not informed of any recent communications between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia regarding these attacks. He stressed that the nature of the pact was not aggressive but defensive, stating, "If there is aggression against one member state, then all three member states will respond in kind." He expressed hope that the Houthi leaders would recognize the potential implications of their actions, urging them to reconsider the impact of their conflict spilling into Saudi territory.

Source: www.dawn.com