Turkey and Pakistan to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks

Following an emergency session of the Strategic Policy and Defense Committee in Riyadh on October 5, 2026, Turkey and Pakistan announced the deployment of military forces to Saudi Arabia. This decision comes in response to a series of attacks launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen against Saudi targets, including civilian and economic infrastructure, as well as attempted strikes near Mecca and Medina.

The deployment is authorized under the "Mecca Pact," a mutual defense agreement signed by the three nations in August 2026. This pact includes a collective defense clause modeled after NATO's Article 5, stipulating that an attack on one signatory is considered an attack on all. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that institutional work on the alliance is nearing completion, and the committee has reached a consensus on the necessity of collective deterrence.

While the commitment to deploy has been made official, the specific number of troops, the composition of the military units, and the exact timeline for their arrival remain undisclosed. The authorities have not yet confirmed the rules of engagement, though discussions regarding peaceful resolution efforts alongside defensive measures continue.