By The South Asia Times

RIYADH -  Senior military commanders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense and agreed to deepen military cooperation after a series of attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists targeting Saudi territory.

The meeting of the defence chiefs and chiefs of general staff of the three countries was held in Riyadh on Friday, under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, according to Pakistan's military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The commanders reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure in the kingdom.

They praised the Saudi armed forces for what they described as their vigilance and professionalism in protecting the country's population and security.

The military leaders also discussed measures to expand cooperation among their armed forces, including intelligence sharing, military coordination and integration of defense capabilities aimed at strengthening deterrence and collective defence.

The commanders said the Riyadh meeting demonstrated the longstanding ties and mutual trust between the three countries and their armed forces. They also expressed a determination to translate the commitments of the Makkah agreement into practical military cooperation.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and their determination to protect Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, ISPR said.

- Meeting follows urgent diplomatic consultations in New York

The military meeting came a day after the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye held an urgent meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reviewed the implementation of the Makkah defence agreement and discussed the deteriorating regional security situation.

The ministers condemned attacks against Makkah and Saudi civilian and economic facilities and agreed to arrange an urgent meeting of the three countries' military chiefs to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under the agreement.

The diplomatic meeting set the stage for Friday's military consultations in Riyadh.

- Houthi terrorist attacks intensify

The trilateral military meeting follows a sharp increase in Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia.

On Sept. 24, Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward the kingdom, with the missiles reportedly aimed at areas around Taif and Yanbu. 

Saudi authorities had also issued security warnings covering several areas, including Makkah, Jeddah, Yanbu and Taif. The alerts came after an earlier episode in which Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a Houthi drone headed toward Makkah.

The attacks have raised concerns about the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and maritime routes along the Red Sea. Yanbu is a major Saudi oil-export and refining hub, while the Red Sea connects to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's important maritime chokepoints.

- Makkah agreement faces first major test

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Aug. 7, 2026, committing the three countries to regard an armed attack against one member as an attack against all. The agreement was signed during a summit in Makkah attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The pact was established amid wider regional tensions and is intended to expand defense cooperation among the three countries.

The latest Houthi attacks have provided an early test of the agreement's collective-defence provisions. Türkiye has already said it is prepared to help meet Saudi Arabia's military and technical requirements under the pact, while Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi security.

Pakistan's military leadership has previously described its commitment to Saudi Arabia's security as unconditional, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged Islamabad's support for the kingdom's sovereignty and security.

Beyond responding to the immediate threat, Friday's meeting focused on developing a more coordinated defence framework among the three countries.

The commanders discussed closer intelligence cooperation, greater coordination between their armed forces and integration of military capabilities. Such measures could include mechanisms for sharing threat information and improving coordination in responding to missile, drone and other security threats.

The three countries also emphasized their longstanding defence relationships and mutual trust, according to ISPR.