Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, October 6, 2026. Saudi media is covering the emergency meeting of the political and strategic defense committee of the Mecca Alliance for Defense, held on Monday, October 5, in the capital. According to Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have decided to "immediately activate the practical implementation" of collective defense commitments and take necessary measures to rapidly deploy the agreed-upon forces and capabilities in the kingdom, in accordance with approved arrangements and national legislation of the parties.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman wrote on X that the committee had agreed to "activate collective deterrence measures" in response to attacks and "all those responsible for them". He sees this as proof of the solidarity of member countries in the face of attacks he describes as heinous against the kingdom and the holy sites. The joint statement condemns "in the strongest terms" the attempt to target Mecca and Medina, as well as ongoing attacks against cities and civilian and economic installations.

Asharq Al-Awsat emphasizes the formula that the security of each party is "an integral part of the collective security" of the three countries, and the credibility that would be given to the agreement by its translation into concrete measures. Pakistan and Turkey praise the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi armed forces. The committee also appoints retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the first secretary-general of the alliance, for a three-year term.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that the three countries had examined "what support could be provided to Saudi Arabia's defense" and what could be done to resolve the crisis through dialogue. He deemed the Saudi approach "very constructive" and estimated that the establishment of the alliance's institutional structure was nearing its final phase. Ankara had, according to the Anadolu agency cited by Asharq Al-Awsat, planned to express its support for Riyadh in the face of Houthi attacks.

Analysts cited by the newspaper see this as a sign of a shift to joint action, less than two weeks after the first meeting, held in Istanbul on August 31. The articles consulted do not specify the size or mission of the foreign troops.