Turkey and Pakistan to deploy military forces to Saudi Arabia under Mecca Agreement

Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have officially moved to implement their collective defense commitments following an emergency meeting of the Mecca Defense Alliance held in Riyadh on October 5, 2026. The decision follows a series of attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting Saudi infrastructure, including a power station in Medina and sites near Mecca. The three nations agreed to ensure the "rapid deployment" of military forces and capabilities to the Kingdom to bolster regional security and deter further aggression.

Signed in August 2026, the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement contains a mutual defense clause modeled after NATO’s Article 5, stipulating that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. While specific deployment numbers and rules of engagement have not been publicly disclosed, the move marks the first operational activation of the pact. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that the meeting was expedited due to the deteriorating security situation, noting that Ankara and Islamabad are now working on the logistical framework for their contribution.

Regional reports suggest this mobilization aims to enhance military integration and collective defense against ongoing threats. The alliance brings together Turkey, which holds the second-largest army in NATO, and Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim state, to support the Saudi military in securing its borders and holy sites.