Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to Discuss Houthi Attacks at Emergency Defence Meeting Next Week

ISLAMABAD (Terror Monitor) — Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the so-called Mecca Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia would focus on Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, with discussions expected to emphasize political engagement rather than military action against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Dar told reporters that the meeting would take place next week, bringing together representatives of the three countries to discuss the regional security situation and possible approaches to addressing the attacks.

The meeting comes amid heightened security concerns following attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia, which began several weeks after the three regional powers signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August.

According to Dar, the discussions would focus on diplomatic and political engagement with the Houthis rather than pursuing military operations against the group. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the three countries to coordinate their positions on regional security challenges and consider possible diplomatic avenues for reducing tensions.

The proposed talks would take place within the framework of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, which was established under the trilateral agreement to facilitate coordination among Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia on political and defence-related matters.

More Countries Interested in Joining Defence Agreement

Dar also disclosed that more than six countries had expressed interest in joining the defence agreement. However, he said additional applications could not be considered until the existing arrangement had become fully operational.

The foreign minister indicated that establishing the necessary mechanisms and completing the implementation process could take up to a year.

The timeline suggests that the three founding countries are still working to put the agreement's institutional and operational arrangements in place before considering its expansion to additional regional or international partners.

The interest expressed by other countries could potentially broaden the agreement's reach, although no additional members or formal accession decisions were identified in Dar's remarks.

Regional Security and Diplomatic Coordination

The planned emergency meeting highlights the three countries' efforts to coordinate their responses to developments affecting Saudi security and the wider region.

Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have pursued closer cooperation through the joint defence framework, with the Strategic Political and Defence Committee serving as a platform for consultations on shared political and security concerns.

Dar's comments indicate that the immediate discussions will prioritize political contacts with the Houthis rather than military escalation. The outcome of the meeting, including any joint statement or specific diplomatic initiatives, remains to be seen.

The meeting is scheduled for next week, according to Dar. Further details about its precise date, venue, participants and any decisions arising from the discussions were not provided in his remarks.