Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia agree to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia under mutual defense pact

On October 5, 2026, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia held an emergency meeting in Riyadh and agreed to rapidly deploy troops to Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August. The pact commits them to mutual defense. The decision comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and oil infrastructure since July, when Yemen's civil war resumed. The joint statement did not specify troop numbers or roles. Meanwhile, Yemen's government launched a counteroffensive, and explosions were reported near Riyadh's airport. The Houthis have also threatened Saudi airspace and oil exports.