Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan formed the 'Mecca Defense Pact' or 'Muslim NATO' in a huff. It was said that if someone is attacked, the other two countries will simultaneously prevent it. After the formation of the defense alliance, the Muslim NATO faced a fire test. Despite the statement from Türkiye and Pakistan on the attack by Yemeni armed group Houthi on Saudi Arabia, no action of the alliance was seen. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, which is eager to enter the alliance, strongly condemned this attack. India has issued a statement condemning the attack.
The Houthis have targeted oil refineries in southern Saudi Arabia since Tuesday morning. Civilian and fuel bases located in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan regions were targeted. At least 73 civilians, including women and children, have been injured by Houthi's continuous drone and missile attacks. India issued a statement condemning the attack on Wednesday. It said, “India condemns the attack on civilian and economically important areas in Saudi territory.” It also said, “Free shipping in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait is at risk due to such an attack. This attack cannot be supported in any way.” Condemnation has been expressed by Pakistan and Turkey.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, 'India condemns the attack on civilian and economically important areas in Saudi territory.'
The basic condition of this Islamic alliance called Islamic NATO is that if any one of these three countries is attacked, then the other two countries will consider this attack as an attack on themselves. So after such a big attack, will the Muslim NATO go to war against the Houthis? In that case, going to war against Iran-backed Houthis would indirectly mean going to war against Iran. Although the issue is risky, a strong statement has come from Pakistan. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir said, “If there is an unprovoked attack against any member state of the Makkah Pact or if the conflict in Yemen spreads to Saudi Arabia, the terms of our defense pact will be implemented. We will do whatever is bound by the pact, insha'Allah.” Then, however, he said, “This does not mean that we will respond to anyone's aggression with military force. There is no need to respond to bricks with stones.” Although Turkey did not speak much about the Makkah agreement, it also condemned the attack.
Besides, Bangladesh is keen to join the Makkah Agreement by condemning this attack. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has strongly condemned this attack and said that the attack on the civilian infrastructure and citizens of Saudi Arabia is highly condemnable. Bangladesh expresses full solidarity with the Saudi government and its people. Bangladesh has unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Saudi Arabia.
It should be noted that the conflict between the Saudi-backed Sunni groups with the Shiite Houthis has been going on for a long time. In 2022, the conflict stopped for a while with the intervention of the United Nations, but in the atmosphere of the US-Iran war, it has come to a head again. Standing next to Iran, the Houthis are attacking several countries known as America's 'ally' in West Asia. Yemen's capital, Sana'a, is currently under Houthi control. Yemen's Sunni Muslim government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has been waging a series of operations against the Houthis. In turn, the Houthis are targeting Saudi Arabia. This long-standing conflict has become a new headache for Muslim NATO. In the whole situation, this defense alliance is a laughing stock to the world.