Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to send troops to Saudi Arabia under the August Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a move that could reshape Gulf security.
In an emergency session in Riyadh on Tuesday, the three signatories—Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan—agreed to a rapid deployment of military forces.
The meeting, convened after escalating hostilities in Yemen, saw the heads of state and defence ministries discuss the logistics of the troop movement.
The agreement signals a new era of military cooperation in the Gulf.
Inside the Saudi foreign ministry, officials moved through a corridor lined with flags, while Turkish and Pakistani officers reviewed maps of Yemen and the Red Sea.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked the partners and said the move would strengthen the coalition fighting Houthi militants.
The pact, signed in Mecca in August, links the world's second‑largest army, the Islamic world's only nuclear state and the Gulf's biggest economy.
Turkey has long sought a foothold in the Middle East, and Pakistan has maintained close ties with Riyadh since the 1990s. The alliance follows a series of talks that began after Saudi Arabia faced pressure from Iran over the Yemen war.
Analysts warn that the deployment could trigger a regional arms race, while others see it as a deterrent against Iranian influence.
According to officials, the first contingent is expected to arrive in Saudi territory by the end of the month, with logistical support to be arranged by Turkish and Pakistani logistics units.
The decision comes amid reports of increased Iranian naval activity in the Gulf and a growing sense of urgency in the Saudi coalition.
The agreement also includes intelligence sharing and joint exercises, according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Defence.
Pakistan's participation marks its first direct military engagement in the Gulf, signalling a shift from its traditional focus on Afghanistan and Kashmir.
The move may influence the stalled talks on a regional security framework that has been on the table since 2020.
The international community will watch how the rapid deployment unfolds, especially as the United Nations continues to call for a ceasefire in Yemen.
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