Two states ready troops for Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate
Yemeni Houthi militants (photo: Getty Images)
Türkiye and Pakistan will help Saudi Arabia fend off attacks by Houthi militants. They pledged to deploy troops to the Kingdom immediately, according to Al Arabiya.
Türkiye, Pakistan to help
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan agreed on October 5 to activate collective deterrence against attacks targeting the Kingdom.
The countries will immediately begin fulfilling their joint defense commitments, which include preparations for the rapid deployment of coordinated forces and military capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
The countries announced the decision in a joint statement following an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca Defense Alliance in Riyadh.
The measures will be carried out in accordance with the agreed arrangements and the national laws of the three countries with the aim of:
- Strengthening military readiness
- Integration
- Collective capacity to counter threats.
The three countries stressed that each member's security is integral to their collective security.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said after the meeting that the three countries "unequivocally" oppose attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and Islamic holy sites.
The committee meeting also saw retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood appointed as the alliance's first secretary-general for a three-year term.
Houthis advance
The three countries strongly condemned attempted attacks on Mecca and Medina, as well as continued attacks on Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.
The meeting took place amid a sharp escalation involving Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. According to Saudi authorities, they have carried out a series of missile and drone attacks against the Kingdom, including attempts to attack Mecca and Medina.
The Saudi-led coalition has pledged to take measures to deter further Houthi attacks and cooperate with Yemen's armed forces.
Yemeni government forces reported significant progress, saying they had recaptured the strategic port city of Mokha on the Red Sea after fierce clashes and with air support.
The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have taken control of the Al-Mawaset district in Taiz province in southwestern Yemen and seized the home of Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, according to the Yemen Press Agency.
As previously reported, on October 4, the Yemeni government had announced the launch of a major counteroffensive to retake all territories seized by the Houthis.
In addition, Saudi Arabia is planning to take action against the Houthis together with Yemen. This could involve both coastal strikes and a broad offensive on several fronts.
