New Delhi: The decision by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca rather than in any of their capitals was never merely logistical. By gathering Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for both the signing, the three governments converted a military compact into a claim of broader Islamic legitimacy. The text itself, however, remains strikingly thin on operational detail.&nbsp;Supporters describe the pact as a pragmatic instrument of collective deterrence at a time of regional instability. Pakistan already has several thousand troops, aircraft and air defence systems in the kingdom under a bilateral arrangement from September 2025; the trilateral document simply widens the political umbrella. Turkey brings the weight of a large NATO army and advanced technical capabilities, while Saudi Arabia supplies the geographic and financial centrality. Pakistani officials have since suggested that six or seven other Muslim-majority states may seek to join, framing the arrangement as open-ended rather than exclusive.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rise-up-young-patriots-american-singer-mary-millben-says-us-donors-funding-cjp-backs-modi-govt-1791978203856">‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt</a>&nbsp;Yet the absence of a named adversary is both the pact’s selling point and its principal weakness. Without a clear definition of the threat it is meant to address, the threshold for activation remains opaque. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has insisted that any Pakistani role will be supportive and that Saudi forces will conduct direct combat. What “supportive” covers, reconnaissance, air defence, logistics or something broader, has not been spelt out.&nbsp;&nbsp;The same ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question. Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-not-a-middle-power-but-a-power-in-the-middle-says-eam-jaishankar-cites-pm-modi-s-definition-1791974178456">India not a ‘middle power’ but a power in the middle, says EAM Jaishankar, cites PM Modi’s definition</a>&nbsp;Turkey’s posture adds a further layer of uncertainty. Ankara has so far limited its public commitments to air defence and technical assistance, and its parliament had not ratified the agreement two months after the Mecca ceremony. If the political weight of the pact rests disproportionately on Islamabad and Riyadh, the arrangement risks becoming less trilateral than bilateral in practice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-seeking-to-attack-iran-again-before-the-israel-election-says-benjamin-netanyahu-1791986105697">‘Not seeking to attack Iran again before Israel elections,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;Domestic considerations in Pakistan also deserve scrutiny. The country hosts a large Shia minority whose security has repeatedly been tested by sectarian violence. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s reported remarks to Shia clerics in Rawalpindi, warning that loyalty to foreign causes would not be permitted to create disorder at home, were widely read by community leaders as signalling an uncompromising line. Whether a Saudi-led defence framework can remain insulated from Pakistan’s own sectarian tensions is an open question that officials have so far declined to address in detail.&nbsp;Financial context is equally difficult to separate from the security one. Saudi deposits arrived shortly before Pakistani aircraft reached the kingdom in April; the Mecca pact followed weeks later. No official has linked the money to the military commitments, yet the sequence invites scrutiny of the conditions under which Pakistan’s resources are being committed abroad.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-flydubai-co-pilot-attack-air-france-bans-pakistani-muslim-majority-crew-on-israel-flights-1791993498720">After flydubai co-pilot attack, Air France bans Pakistani, Muslim-majority crew on Israel flights</a>&nbsp;The Mecca agreement has succeeded in projecting unity and resolve. What it has not yet done is define the precise circumstances in which that resolve would be tested, or how the three capitals would share the political and military costs. Until those questions are answered, the pact remains more a declaration than a doctrine. The ongoing Houthi attacks have only raised more questions, especially on Islamabad's commitment, given it faces several challenges at home, including separatist one in restive Balochistan province.

Ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question also as Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.

New Delhi: The decision by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca rather than in any of their capitals was never merely logistical. By gathering Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for both the signing, the three governments converted a military compact into a claim of broader Islamic legitimacy. The text itself, however, remains strikingly thin on operational detail. Supporters describe the pact as a pragmatic instrument of collective deterrence at a time of regional instability. Pakistan already has several thousand troops, aircraft and air defence systems in the kingdom under a bilateral arrangement from September 2025; the trilateral document simply widens the political umbrella. Turkey brings the weight of a large NATO army and advanced technical capabilities, while Saudi Arabia supplies the geographic and financial centrality. Pakistani officials have since suggested that six or seven other Muslim-majority states may seek to join, framing the arrangement as open-ended rather than exclusive. Also Read: ‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt Yet the absence of a named adversary is both the pact’s selling point and its principal weakness. Without a clear definition of the threat it is meant to address, the threshold for activation remains opaque. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has insisted that any Pakistani role will be supportive and that Saudi forces will conduct direct combat. What “supportive” covers, reconnaissance, air defence, logistics or something broader, has not been spelt out. The same ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question. Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap. Also Read: India not a ‘middle power’ but a power in the middle, says EAM Jaishankar, cites PM Modi’s definition Turkey’s posture adds a further layer of uncertainty. Ankara has so far limited its public commitments to air defence and technical assistance, and its parliament had not ratified the agreement two months after the Mecca ceremony. If the political weight of the pact rests disproportionately on Islamabad and Riyadh, the arrangement risks becoming less trilateral than bilateral in practice. Also Read: ‘Not seeking to attack Iran again before Israel elections,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu Domestic considerations in Pakistan also deserve scrutiny. The country hosts a large Shia minority whose security has repeatedly been tested by sectarian violence. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s reported remarks to Shia clerics in Rawalpindi, warning that loyalty to foreign causes would not be permitted to create disorder at home, were widely read by community leaders as signalling an uncompromising line. Whether a Saudi-led defence framework can remain insulated from Pakistan’s own sectarian tensions is an open question that officials have so far declined to address in detail. Financial context is equally difficult to separate from the security one. Saudi deposits arrived shortly before Pakistani aircraft reached the kingdom in April; the Mecca pact followed weeks later. No official has linked the money to the military commitments, yet the sequence invites scrutiny of the conditions under which Pakistan’s resources are being committed abroad. Also Read: After flydubai co-pilot attack, Air France bans Pakistani, Muslim-majority crew on Israel flights The Mecca agreement has succeeded in projecting unity and resolve. What it has not yet done is define the precise circumstances in which that resolve would be tested, or how the three capitals would share the political and military costs. Until those questions are answered, the pact remains more a declaration than a doctrine. The ongoing Houthi attacks have only raised more questions, especially on Islamabad's commitment, given it faces several challenges at home, including separatist one in restive Balochistan province.

Ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question also as Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.

A Mecca defence pact that leaves more questions than answers

The military spokesperson for Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, on Sunday, claimed the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport that killed 13 people, including an Indian, and injured over 300, as well as other targets across Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;&nbsp;Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group carried out multiple operations targeting King Khalid Airport “resulting in the disruption of air traffic at the airport and its complete closure”.Other targets included a petrol station affiliated with Saudi state oil giant Aramco and an oil refinery in the Eastern Region, along with the King Fahd Airport in Dammam.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Riyadh airport was hit again on Sunday after a Houthi missile attack, said Saudi authorities. An unidentified projectile hit terminal 4 at King Khalid international airport, and led to a fire, according to Saudi authorities. Air defences also intercepted a cruise missile in the vicinity of the airport.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Stay away from Saudi airports and airspace,’ warn Houthis</h2>&nbsp;The Houthis also issued a new threat to Saudi Arabia’s airspace, on Sunday, warning airlines, travellers and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports, saying they were vulnerable to attacks. The warning comes after Houthis attacked the kingdom’s international airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing 12 people and wounding hundreds.Houthi military spokesperson threatened new attacks on the kingdom’s airports and airspace, saying, “they are potential targets and sites for operations by our forces.”&nbsp;“The airports and airspace are exposed to targeting and constitute a theatre of operations for our forces,” Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesperson, wrote in a post on X on Sunday. Passengers have been warned not to travel.&nbsp;“We renew our warning to all airlines, experts, employees, workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces,” Saree added.&nbsp;However, he clarified that the holy cities of Mecca and Medina would not be targeted.The attack on Saturday was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade.&nbsp;The Houthis also warned Saudi Arabia against further military action in Yemen, saying it would trigger a stronger response.&nbsp;“Unless the Saudi enemy stops its aggression and interference in Yemen, worse is yet to come,” the Houthi-run Foreign Ministry said.&nbsp;On Saturday, US President Donald Trump called the Riyadh airport strike “terrible”. He said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority temporarily suspended airport operations pending damage and safety assessments, without specifying when flights would resume.Despite the attack, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said a major international energy conference scheduled in Riyadh would proceed on Sunday.The five-day WPC Energy Congress is being held at a convention centre around 10 km from the airport, with more than 70 ministers and 300 company executives expected to attend.<h2>‘Worse yet to come’ if Saudi strikes continue: Houthi foreign ministry</h2>&nbsp;The Houthi’s foreign ministry also put out a statement, threatening that continued Saudi military action in Yemen would lead to an even stronger response.&nbsp;“Unless the Saudi enemy stops its aggression and interference in Yemen, worse is yet to come, God willing,” the ministry said in statements carried by Houthi-run Al Masirah television.&nbsp;<h2>‘World must turn condemnations into action against Houthis’</h2>&nbsp;Abdullah al-Alimi Bawazir, vice president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, said on Sunday that condemning Houthi attacks on civilians is no longer enough and must translate into firm action against the group now.“It is no longer acceptable for regional and international condemnations of the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure to remain mere verbal stances, without being translated into firm measures that achieve accountability and deterrence,” Bawazir said in a post on X.He said “the terrorist crime” committed by the Houthis in targeting King Khalid airport “necessitates a decisive regional and international stance that goes beyond statements of denunciation to practical measures ending impunity”.Bawazir expressed full solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people, praising the kingdom’s role in protecting regional security and international navigation, and supporting the Yemeni people and their government.He added that “Dawn of Yemen”, the military campaign against the Houthis, is proceeding to restore state authority and establish peace.

The Houthis issued a new threat to Saudi Arabia’s airspace, warning airlines, travellers and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports, saying they were vulnerable to attacks. The Iran-backed group also warned Saudi Arabia against further military action in Yemen.

The military spokesperson for Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, on Sunday, claimed the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport that killed 13 people, including an Indian, and injured over 300, as well as other targets across Saudi Arabia. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group carried out multiple operations targeting King Khalid Airport “resulting in the disruption of air traffic at the airport and its complete closure”. Other targets included a petrol station affiliated with Saudi state oil giant Aramco and an oil refinery in the Eastern Region, along with the King Fahd Airport in Dammam. Meanwhile, the Riyadh airport was hit again on Sunday after a Houthi missile attack, said Saudi authorities. An unidentified projectile hit terminal 4 at King Khalid international airport, and led to a fire, according to Saudi authorities. Air defences also intercepted a cruise missile in the vicinity of the airport. ‘Stay away from Saudi airports and airspace,’ warn Houthis The Houthis also issued a new threat to Saudi Arabia’s airspace, on Sunday, warning airlines, travellers and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports, saying they were vulnerable to attacks. The warning comes after Houthis attacked the kingdom’s international airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing 12 people and wounding hundreds. Houthi military spokesperson threatened new attacks on the kingdom’s airports and airspace, saying, “they are potential targets and sites for operations by our forces.” “The airports and airspace are exposed to targeting and constitute a theatre of operations for our forces,” Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesperson, wrote in a post on X on Sunday. Passengers have been warned not to travel. “We renew our warning to all airlines, experts, employees, workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces,” Saree added. However, he clarified that the holy cities of Mecca and Medina would not be targeted. The attack on Saturday was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade. The Houthis also warned Saudi Arabia against further military action in Yemen, saying it would trigger a stronger response. “Unless the Saudi enemy stops its aggression and interference in Yemen, worse is yet to come,” the Houthi-run Foreign Ministry said. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump called the Riyadh airport strike “terrible”. He said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority temporarily suspended airport operations pending damage and safety assessments, without specifying when flights would resume. Despite the attack, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said a major international energy conference scheduled in Riyadh would proceed on Sunday. The five-day WPC Energy Congress is being held at a convention centre around 10 km from the airport, with more than 70 ministers and 300 company executives expected to attend. ‘Worse yet to come’ if Saudi strikes continue: Houthi foreign ministry The Houthi’s foreign ministry also put out a statement, threatening that continued Saudi military action in Yemen would lead to an even stronger response. “Unless the Saudi enemy stops its aggression and interference in Yemen, worse is yet to come, God willing,” the ministry said in statements carried by Houthi-run Al Masirah television. ‘World must turn condemnations into action against Houthis’ Abdullah al-Alimi Bawazir, vice president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, said on Sunday that condemning Houthi attacks on civilians is no longer enough and must translate into firm action against the group now. “It is no longer acceptable for regional and international condemnations of the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure to remain mere verbal stances, without being translated into firm measures that achieve accountability and deterrence,” Bawazir said in a post on X. He said “the terrorist crime” committed by the Houthis in targeting King Khalid airport “necessitates a decisive regional and international stance that goes beyond statements of denunciation to practical measures ending impunity”. Bawazir expressed full solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people, praising the kingdom’s role in protecting regional security and international navigation, and supporting the Yemeni people and their government. He added that “Dawn of Yemen”, the military campaign against the Houthis, is proceeding to restore state authority and establish peace.

The Houthis issued a new threat to Saudi Arabia’s airspace, warning airlines, travellers and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports, saying they were vulnerable to attacks. The Iran-backed group also warned Saudi Arabia against further military action in Yemen.&nbsp;

Houthis claim Riyadh airport attacks, Aramco strikes; issue fresh warning to airlines, travellers and workers

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have told the European Union that they will not target European ships in the Red Sea, even as the group seeks to strengthen its control over the key Bab al Mandeb Strait, the Financial Times reported.&nbsp;The Houthis sent a letter this month to the EU's foreign and security policy arm, saying their offensive along Yemen's southern coast was not aimed at disrupting international shipping, &nbsp;FT reported, citing two diplomats briefed on the matter.&nbsp;The diplomats said the group also assured the EU that its actions would not affect freedom of navigation through the Bab al Mandeb. The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.&nbsp;According to the report, the group has sought to present the conflict as being limited to Saudi Arabia rather than targeting international shipping more widely.&nbsp;The letter came as container shipping companies increased services through the Suez Canal. This pushed the number of vessels travelling through the Bab al Mandeb to its highest level in almost three years.&nbsp;One of the diplomats said the Houthis sent the letter to the EU's diplomatic service on September 10, the same day the rebels seized the Yemeni port of Mocha.&nbsp;The development comes as the group continues to expand its control along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including areas close to the strategic waterway.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-turkey-and-pakistan-set-urgent-military-talks-amid-houthi-attacks-1790343798959">Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to hold urgent military talks amid intensifying Houthi attacks</a><h3>UNSC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia</h3>Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned the increasing attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia in a rare show of unity by the UN's top body.&nbsp;The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, attacking tankers and Saudi territory while seizing parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast. The area is important for Saudi oil exports, while the attacks have also pushed energy prices higher.&nbsp;"The members of the Security Council condemned, in the strongest terms, continued Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks impacting civilian and energy infrastructure, which have resulted in the injury of civilians, including women and children," said the rotating president of the Council, French UN envoy Jerome Bonnafont, delivering a joint statement.&nbsp;The Security Council "further stressed the importance of acting in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and of upholding navigation rights and freedoms."&nbsp;The body "demanded the Houthis immediately cease their military escalation and their attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects," according to the statement.

According to a report, Yemen's Houthis have assured the EU that they will not target European ships in the Red Sea, saying their ongoing offensive is focused on Saudi Arabia and will not disrupt freedom of navigation through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have told the European Union that they will not target European ships in the Red Sea, even as the group seeks to strengthen its control over the key Bab al Mandeb Strait, the Financial Times reported. The Houthis sent a letter this month to the EU's foreign and security policy arm, saying their offensive along Yemen's southern coast was not aimed at disrupting international shipping, FT reported, citing two diplomats briefed on the matter. The diplomats said the group also assured the EU that its actions would not affect freedom of navigation through the Bab al Mandeb. The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. According to the report, the group has sought to present the conflict as being limited to Saudi Arabia rather than targeting international shipping more widely. The letter came as container shipping companies increased services through the Suez Canal. This pushed the number of vessels travelling through the Bab al Mandeb to its highest level in almost three years. One of the diplomats said the Houthis sent the letter to the EU's diplomatic service on September 10, the same day the rebels seized the Yemeni port of Mocha. The development comes as the group continues to expand its control along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including areas close to the strategic waterway. Also Read: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to hold urgent military talks amid intensifying Houthi attacks UNSC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned the increasing attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia in a rare show of unity by the UN's top body. The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, attacking tankers and Saudi territory while seizing parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast. The area is important for Saudi oil exports, while the attacks have also pushed energy prices higher. "The members of the Security Council condemned, in the strongest terms, continued Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks impacting civilian and energy infrastructure, which have resulted in the injury of civilians, including women and children," said the rotating president of the Council, French UN envoy Jerome Bonnafont, delivering a joint statement. The Security Council "further stressed the importance of acting in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and of upholding navigation rights and freedoms." The body "demanded the Houthis immediately cease their military escalation and their attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects," according to the statement.

According to a report, Yemen's Houthis have assured the EU that they will not target European ships in the Red Sea, saying their ongoing offensive is focused on Saudi Arabia and will not disrupt freedom of navigation through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Red Sea crisis: Houthis promise not to target European ships; UNSC condemns Saudi attacks

Huge black smoke and fumes were seen rising near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday (Sept 19), with two eyewitnesses in the Saudi capital confirming the incident, AFP reported.Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 also reported major disruptions at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, including flight cancellations and delays, after residents reported seeing smoke and flames near the airport.&nbsp;The airport was placed under FlightRadar24’s highest disruption index of 5.0, indicating "major problems with long delays and several cancelled flights".&nbsp;The disruption came after Saudi authorities issued an overnight air raid alert, the first such alert since fighting in neighbouring Yemen intensified this month.&nbsp;The latest developments come as the Kingdom remains locked in an escalating conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The fighting has also led to attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, including major ports and refineries, pushing oil prices above $100 for weeks.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, a major Gulf ally of the United States and a treaty-bound defence partner of Pakistan and Turkey under the recently signed Mecca pact, has not yet received significant support from its partners, according to the information provided. The Kingdom is also facing a significant impact on its major source of revenue, oil exports.&nbsp;(This is a developing story; further details are awaited)

Huge black smoke and flames were reported near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, triggering major flight delays and cancellations amid escalating fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels.

Huge black smoke and fumes were seen rising near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday (Sept 19), with two eyewitnesses in the Saudi capital confirming the incident, AFP reported. Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 also reported major disruptions at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, including flight cancellations and delays, after residents reported seeing smoke and flames near the airport. The airport was placed under FlightRadar24’s highest disruption index of 5.0, indicating "major problems with long delays and several cancelled flights". The disruption came after Saudi authorities issued an overnight air raid alert, the first such alert since fighting in neighbouring Yemen intensified this month. The latest developments come as the Kingdom remains locked in an escalating conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The fighting has also led to attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, including major ports and refineries, pushing oil prices above $100 for weeks. Saudi Arabia, a major Gulf ally of the United States and a treaty-bound defence partner of Pakistan and Turkey under the recently signed Mecca pact, has not yet received significant support from its partners, according to the information provided. The Kingdom is also facing a significant impact on its major source of revenue, oil exports. (This is a developing story; further details are awaited)

Huge black smoke and flames were reported near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, triggering major flight delays and cancellations amid escalating fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels.

Huge black smoke, flames seen near Riyadh airport; flights face major disruption amid Saudi-Houthi conflict

Pakistan will go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia, Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, making it clear that Islamabad considers its commitment to the security of the Gulf kingdom “unconditional” amid growing tensions between Riyadh and Yemen’s Houthi forces.&nbsp;The comments came after the Houthis reported fresh Saudi airstrikes this week, while Saudi Arabia accused the group of launching a “cowardly” attack targeting Mecca, Islam’s holy city, an accusation that triggered strong outrage across the Muslim world.&nbsp;Speaking to Arab News on Thursday, Chaudhry said Pakistan would stand behind Saudi Arabia “both diplomatically and physically”, as the two countries face a period of heightened regional tensions.“We will go to any extent for the security of (the two holy sanctuaries) and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.&nbsp;Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement last month, under which the three countries agreed to provide mutual defence if any one of them comes under attack.&nbsp;The agreement was signed against the backdrop of the war between the United States and Iran, along with attacks across the region by Tehran-backed Houthi forces.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-to-convene-g7-energy-meeting-as-oil-prices-stay-above-100-1789743311576">Macron to convene G7 energy meeting as oil prices stay above $100</a><h3>Saudi oil shipments face disruption</h3>The conflict has also affected Saudi Arabia’s exports through the Bab al Mandab Strait, with data showing that weekly traffic through the route since the beginning of August has remained below a third of this year’s seven-day average.&nbsp;Recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast have disrupted shipping through the narrow passage and have particularly affected Saudi exports, while the group now controls the strategic Bab el Mandeb Strait, an important route for Saudi oil shipments.&nbsp;The wider Middle East war has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, putting further pressure on important regional trade routes.&nbsp;Data from maritime tracking firm Kpler showed that only five laden vessels carrying Saudi products left the Red Sea through the Bab el Mandeb Strait during the past seven days.The figure was higher during the week of July 24, when 11 vessels carrying Saudi products passed through the strait after leaving the Red Sea.&nbsp;Crude shipments have also fallen below their usual levels, with outbound vessels carrying crude, the most frequently transported commodity through the strait, recording below-average traffic over the past seven days.

Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Islamabad would go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks disrupt the kingdom’s security and oil shipments through the Bab el Mandeb Strait.

Pakistan will go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia, Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, making it clear that Islamabad considers its commitment to the security of the Gulf kingdom “unconditional” amid growing tensions between Riyadh and Yemen’s Houthi forces. The comments came after the Houthis reported fresh Saudi airstrikes this week, while Saudi Arabia accused the group of launching a “cowardly” attack targeting Mecca, Islam’s holy city, an accusation that triggered strong outrage across the Muslim world. Speaking to Arab News on Thursday, Chaudhry said Pakistan would stand behind Saudi Arabia “both diplomatically and physically”, as the two countries face a period of heightened regional tensions. “We will go to any extent for the security of (the two holy sanctuaries) and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement last month, under which the three countries agreed to provide mutual defence if any one of them comes under attack. The agreement was signed against the backdrop of the war between the United States and Iran, along with attacks across the region by Tehran-backed Houthi forces. Also Read: Macron to convene G7 energy meeting as oil prices stay above $100 Saudi oil shipments face disruption The conflict has also affected Saudi Arabia’s exports through the Bab al Mandab Strait, with data showing that weekly traffic through the route since the beginning of August has remained below a third of this year’s seven-day average. Recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast have disrupted shipping through the narrow passage and have particularly affected Saudi exports, while the group now controls the strategic Bab el Mandeb Strait, an important route for Saudi oil shipments. The wider Middle East war has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, putting further pressure on important regional trade routes. Data from maritime tracking firm Kpler showed that only five laden vessels carrying Saudi products left the Red Sea through the Bab el Mandeb Strait during the past seven days. The figure was higher during the week of July 24, when 11 vessels carrying Saudi products passed through the strait after leaving the Red Sea. Crude shipments have also fallen below their usual levels, with outbound vessels carrying crude, the most frequently transported commodity through the strait, recording below-average traffic over the past seven days.

Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Islamabad would go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks disrupt the kingdom’s security and oil shipments through the Bab el Mandeb Strait.

‘Will go to any extent’: Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

India has expressed deep concern over a sharp escalation in Yemen &amp; condemned attacks on Saudi territory, including an attempted strike near the holy city of Makkah, saying the violence threatens regional stability and a vital shipping lane.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday that New Delhi viewed the latest attacks as unacceptable. “We are deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in Yemen. We condemn the attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, especially the targeting of civilian and economic facilities, as well as the attempted attack on the holy city of Makkah,” he said.“Such attacks undermine regional security and stability and threaten freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb and are unacceptable to us. We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.”The remarks followed a week of intensified fighting between Yemen based Houthis &amp; Saudi-backed forces. Saudi authorities said Houthi missiles and drones struck cities in the south of the kingdom earlier this month, hitting energy and civilian infrastructure and injuring dozens of people, including women and children.Saudi air defences later intercepted a drone south of Makkah, according to the Saudi-led coalition. Riyadh called the security of Islam’s two holiest sites a “red line.” The Houthis denied targeting Makkah, saying their operations were aimed at oil facilities &amp; military bases.The Bab-el-Mandeb strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea, is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints. It carries a large share of Europe-Asia trade and energy shipments. Attacks or threats in the area raise costs for shippers and can disrupt oil and cargo flows, a particular concern for India, which relies on Gulf energy supplies and has a large expatriate population in the region.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed escalating situation by Houthis with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the recent BRICS summit.The flare-up comes as fighting inside Yemen has intensified, and against the backdrop of a wider West Asian conflict that has already constrained shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the incident near Makkah.

India expressed deep concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian sites, energy infrastructure, and Makkah, warning that the escalating Yemeni conflict threatens regional stability and vital Red Sea shipping lanes.



India has expressed deep concern over a sharp escalation in Yemen & condemned attacks on Saudi territory, including an attempted strike near the holy city of Makkah, saying the violence threatens regional stability and a vital shipping lane. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday that New Delhi viewed the latest attacks as unacceptable. “We are deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in Yemen. We condemn the attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, especially the targeting of civilian and economic facilities, as well as the attempted attack on the holy city of Makkah,” he said. “Such attacks undermine regional security and stability and threaten freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb and are unacceptable to us. We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.” The remarks followed a week of intensified fighting between Yemen based Houthis & Saudi-backed forces. Saudi authorities said Houthi missiles and drones struck cities in the south of the kingdom earlier this month, hitting energy and civilian infrastructure and injuring dozens of people, including women and children. Saudi air defences later intercepted a drone south of Makkah, according to the Saudi-led coalition. Riyadh called the security of Islam’s two holiest sites a “red line.” The Houthis denied targeting Makkah, saying their operations were aimed at oil facilities & military bases. The Bab-el-Mandeb strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea, is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints. It carries a large share of Europe-Asia trade and energy shipments. Attacks or threats in the area raise costs for shippers and can disrupt oil and cargo flows, a particular concern for India, which relies on Gulf energy supplies and has a large expatriate population in the region. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed escalating situation by Houthis with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the recent BRICS summit. The flare-up comes as fighting inside Yemen has intensified, and against the backdrop of a wider West Asian conflict that has already constrained shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the incident near Makkah.

India expressed deep concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian sites, energy infrastructure, and Makkah, warning that the escalating Yemeni conflict threatens regional stability and vital Red Sea shipping lanes.&nbsp;

India ‘deeply concerned’ as Houthi strikes hit Saudi civilian & energy sites

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India ‘deeply concerned’ as Houthi strikes hit Saudi civilian & energy sites