The Mecca pact and Houthis Myind.net 19 Oct 2026

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The Mecca pact and Houthis Myind.net 19 Oct 2026

          The Mecca pact, inked between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on 07 Aug this year, was activated on 05 Oct, following continuing attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia as also its backed government in Yemen. Yemen and Saudi Arabia share a common border. The activation followed an emergency meeting of representatives of the pact. Pakistan had recently appointed a retired Lt Gen as the first secretary general of the Mecca pact.  

The war in Yemen, between the UN recognized Yemen government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, backed by Iran, has been ongoing for about 12 years. The Saudis joined the conflict by launching airstrikes against the Houthis in March 2015. The UN brokered a ceasefire in 2022, which stayed in place for a couple of years. Tensions escalated in July this year when Yemen government forces launched an attack on Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian flight from landing.

The Houthis claimed the flight was bringing back those who attended the funeral of the Ayatollah in Tehran, while Riyadh believed it had weapons and Iranian advisors on board. The war escalated in Aug when the Houthis launched a major attack and captured the Bab al-Mandeb straits, claiming the truce was already broken. Escalation continued thereafter.

Nations have been indirectly involved in Yemen over the years. UAE, Saudi and Iran have backed different factions, while the US and the Saudis have launched air attacks on the Houthis. Other European nations have provided logistics, intelligence and weapons to the Yemeni government. Yemen has no oil or gas reserves which could invite direct big power intervention.

The ongoing conflict is a brutal guerilla war resulting in thousands of deaths, with neither side capable of achieving victory. A nation deploying forces in support of one party may find it difficult to pull out. Saudi Arabia has been compelled into the conflict to secure its southern border and keep Iran backed Houthis at bay. The intent is to prevent them from striking its oil infrastructure and its cities.     

Pakistan had already deployed military personnel alongside air defence resources in Saudi Arabia based on its Aug 2025 inked SMDA (Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement). This was in response to missile and drone attacks from Iran. However, none of its systems were activated. It is reported to have deployed approximately a division strength as part of the Mecca Pact. This is all Rawalpindi can spare considering its ongoing operations in its western provinces, internal protests including in POK alongside tensions with India and Afghanistan. Capabilities moved to Saudi, apart from ground troops, are air power, air defence, rockets and anti-drone systems.

Turkey has moved EW systems and air defence, as also provided specialized drone operators and intelligence, claiming deployment of troops for offensive operations is not within the charter of the Mecca Pact. Neither nation wants to be drawn into the Yemen conflict. 

Reports also mention that in end Sept, Pakistan moved four cargo aircraft containing weapons, including air defence systems, drones, anti-drone systems and artillery to Aden to support the Saudi backed Yemen government. There are also inputs that Pakistan has deployed advisors alongside their Saudi counterparts with Yemen government forces. The Pakistan government described these as defensive measures. However, moving of weapons and deploying advisors is anything but defensive.

Pakistan was also mediating between Iran and the US. Iran is the strongest backer of the Houthis and has been providing it with resources, technology and funds. The agreement inked between Iran and the US on 17-18 Jun was termed the Islamabad MOU. Now with its involvement in the conflict on the side of Saudi Arabia its role has largely been taken over by Qatar, though Pakistan continues claiming backchannel communication with Iran seeking to resolve the conflict. Exchange of messages between the US and Iran is now being conducted by Qatar. If Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict against Yemen increases, it will impact its relations with Iran.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi Political Bureau, mentioned that any nation joining combat operations in Yemen, directly or indirectly, in support of Saudi Arabia or its backed government, would be targeted in response. The Houthis are demanding Riyadh lift its naval blockade of the country.

The deployment of Pakistan and Turkey forces in Saudi Arabia has not stopped the Houthis from attacking Saudi’s oil and airport infrastructure. Even Iran warned Pakistan with its spokesperson mentioning, ‘The countries of the region are well aware that any intervention in the Yemen issue could have undesirable consequences for the region.’ Interestingly, Iran offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

How does a defensive deployment, as claimed by Pak, impact the ongoing conflict. It is unlikely that the Houthis would invade Saudi Arabia necessitating involvement of ground forces deployed under the Mecca Pact. In that sense, the deployment is solely to convey a political message of unity. Only air defence and anti-drone resources are likely to be employed. Successful attacks by the Houthis imply that Pakistan’s resources have either not been activated or its equipment has failed as it did in Sindoor.

With the war raging in Yemen, it is possible that if government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, begin losing ground, Saudi air power, supported by Pakistan, would be involved. This could have serious ramifications. Unofficial reports mention that this has commenced. If so, it is a matter of time before the Houthis decide to target Pakistan cities.

Yemen has both Muslim sects, Shia and Sunni. The Saudi and UN recognized Yemen government is Sunni while the Houthis are Shias. Pakistan has both sects, with Shias comprising about 15-20% of the population. In case Pak enters the conflict within Yemen it is likely to lead to sectarian violence within the country. The Shias in Pakistan had opposed the inking of the Mecca Pact as they believed that supporting Riyadh would compromise ties with Shia ruled Iran.

In 2015, when Saudi entered the Yemen conflict for the first time, Pakistan’s parliament had voted to remain neutral, fearing sectarian violence and retaliation from Iran. This time Asim Munir deployed the Pak army without consultation of parliament, aware that he has life-time immunity for his actions as also controls the nation. The government has remained silent.

Further, the Yemen conflict is unlikely to end soon. Any nation sucked into it may find it difficult to pull out. Saudi Arabia and Yemen are neighbours and Pakistan has no role except that it is a puppet of Riyadh and dependent on it for financial support. While Turkey has wormed its way out by sending only equipment, specialists and advisors, it is Pakistan which has been compelled to deploy troops on the ground. It is just a matter of time before these troops are sucked into the conflict in Yemen and open an additional front as also increase enmity with Iran.