Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia have agreed to rapidly deploy military forces and capabilities in the kingdom under the Makkah defence pact. The decision followed emergency talks in Riyadh on October 5 amid escalating Houthi attacks.
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) approved immediate implementation of collective defence commitments, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said. Deployment will follow agreed arrangements and each country’s national legislation.
🔊PR No.2️⃣7️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint Statement: Emergency Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defence, Riyadh -5 October, 2026
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/ynFYzqILzc
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 5, 2026
The committee pledged to “take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom”.
The statement did not identify a specific adversary or disclose troop numbers and deployment schedules.
Pakistan confirms supportive military role
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan and Turkiye maintained a “presence in theatre”, but only Saudi troops were conducting combat operations.
“Whatever assistance they require is being provided. But right now, the Turkish and Pakistani armies are playing a supportive role,” he told Geo News.
Read More: Attacks Near Makkah Put Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye Defence Pact in Focus
Speaking by telephone on Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Asif said Pakistan was conducting reconnaissance. Saudi Arabia had made “gains and recovered some areas” in Yemen, he added.
“The organisational structure of the alliance was formalised during today’s meeting,” Asif said.
Pakistan’s delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Asif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Munir attended as Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff. Their Saudi and Turkish counterparts also participated.
Nauman Mahmood named alliance chief
The committee appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the alliance’s first secretary general for three years. Members welcomed him and expressed confidence in his ability to advance its objectives.
The three countries condemned “in the strongest terms” attempted attacks on Makkah and Madina and continuing strikes against Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 , Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and the Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the Emergency Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee ( S-PDC) established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on 5 October 2026 in Riyadh today.
The meeting endorsed the nomination of Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood(Rtd), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) as the first Secretary-General of the Makkah Alliance for Defence .
The meeting also strongly condemned the attempted targeting of the Holy Cities of Makkah and Medina, as well as continued attacks against the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The three countries exchanged views on the latest regional developments and expressed their resolve to work closely for regional peace and stability.
During the meeting, Pakistan expressed its unwavering solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and expressed its full support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
Pakistan also reiterated its continued commitment to making all efforts for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 5, 2026
Pakistan and Turkiye praised Saudi forces’ readiness and professionalism in countering attacks.
The committee approved recommendations from earlier political and military consultations. Members reaffirmed collective defence, stronger deterrence and protection of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They described each member’s security as an “integral part of the collective security of the three countries”.
Yemen fighting intensifies
The August 7 agreement treats an attack against one member as an attack against all. Military chiefs previously held emergency talks in Riyadh on September 25.
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launched an offensive on Sunday to recover Houthi-held territory. The Houthis reported Saudi strikes on Sanaa and claimed missile and drone attacks against an Aramco facility south of Riyadh.
The escalation followed their seizure of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Read More: Nauman Mahmood Named Makkah Defence Alliance Secretary General
Diplomacy also remains under consideration. Reuters reported that Dar said Iran had suggested political engagement with the Houthis before the Riyadh meeting.
On September 18, military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry pledged Pakistan would go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia. He described that commitment as “unconditional”.
Asif had separately promised Pakistan would stand by the kingdom “practically and diplomatically” if fighting escalated.
