Pak, Turkiye agree to deploy forces in Saudi
Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to deploy their military forces in Saudi Arabia under a recently concluded pact between the three countries.
The decision comes in the wake of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen in the Gulf country.
The three sides had convened an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Alliance for Defence in Riyadh on Monday to address the regional developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement.
The defence agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in August, establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of them would be regarded as an attack against all. The SPDC reviewed the outcomes of the political and military consultations preceding the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it. It affirmed that the Makkah agreement embodies a firm commitment to collective defence and a unified position in confronting threats.
The committee “decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom”.
“The three countries affirmed that the security of each party is an integral part of the collective security of the three countries,” the statement said.
The statement did not give any details or schedule of troop deployment. It also did not specifically name the Houthis as a threat, but the development comes against the backdrop of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the meeting from Pakistan's side. Khawaja Asif, in an interview to Geo News, said that Pakistan and Turkiye had a “presence in theatre”, but only Saudi troops were involved in combat operations. “Whatever assistance they require is being provided. But right now, the Turkish and Pakistani armies are playing a supportive role,” he said, noting that Pakistan was involved in reconnaissance.
The three sides also condemned in the strongest terms the attempted targeting of Makkah and Madinah, as well as the continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan and Turkiye commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces in countering the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom, the statement said.
As part of the institutional development of the alliance, the committee decided to appoint General Nauman Mahmood of Pakistan as the first Secretary-General for a three-year term.
