Mecca Pact activated: Pakistan, Turkey to rapidly deploy troops to Saudi Arabia

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) :

The Mecca Pact was activated on Monday, with Pakistan and Turkey agreeing to move towards the rapid deployment of troops and military capabilities to Saudi Arabia under their new mutual defence alliance.

The decision was announced after an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh on October 5. The move comes amid continuing attacks and security threats facing Saudi Arabia, including those linked to the Iran-aligned Houthis.

The joint statement shared by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the committee had decided to “move immediately to the practical implementation” of collective defence commitments and take necessary measures to provide agreed military forces and capabilities for their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia.

The deployment will be carried out in accordance with approved arrangements and the national laws of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, the statement said.

The move is aimed at strengthening military readiness, improving integration between the three countries and enhancing their collective ability to respond to threats.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey also condemned what they described as attempts to target Mecca and Madina, along with continuing attacks on Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.The three countries praised the Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance and readiness and their role in protecting the kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.