Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). The Mecca Defense Alliance has announced help in increasing Saudi Arabia’s military capability. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are the main member countries of the Mecca Defense Alliance.
Under this alliance, it has been agreed to activate collective defense measures. In a joint statement issued after the meeting here, expressing concern over the continuous attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group in Saudi Arabia, it was agreed to rapidly deploy troops and military capabilities there.
According to reports of Pakistani newspapers Dawn and The News, this decision was taken in the emergency meeting of the Political and Defense Strategic Committee of the Makkah Defense Alliance held in Riyadh.
During this, the three countries discussed security developments and the threats facing Saudi Arabia. “The emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee under the Mecca Defense Alliance reaffirmed the solidarity and unity of Pakistan and Turkey in confronting the heinous attacks against Saudi Arabia and its holy sites,” Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud said on Twitter.
The Committee agreed to activate collective deterrence measures within the framework of the Coalition in response to the attacks and those responsible for them.”
The meeting comes against the backdrop of continued attacks by the Houthi rebel group targeting Saudi Arabia as part of the wider conflict in the Middle East.
According to the joint statement, the committee decided to “take immediate steps towards the practical implementation of collective defense commitments” and agreed to take the necessary measures to provide previously agreed forces and military capabilities and “rapidly deploy them to Saudi Arabia.”
The statement said that this deployment will be done in accordance with the agreed arrangements and national laws of the member countries, with the aim of enhancing military preparedness, integration and the collective capacity of the three countries to confront threats.
On the other hand, the committee has appointed retired Lieutenant General of Pakistan Army Numan Mahmood as its first Secretary General for a tenure of three years.
The committee welcomed Mahmood and wished him success in the discharge of his duties. The Committee reaffirmed that the alliance symbolizes a strong commitment to collective defense and a unified stance in countering threats.
The three countries strongly condemned the attempt to target the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as the ongoing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan and Turkey appreciated the alertness and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as the professionalism and high level of capability demonstrated in countering the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom and safeguarding its security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan expressed its unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Kingdom.
Islamabad also reiterated its continued commitment to make all efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.