Makkah pact: Pakistani, Turkish, Saudi FMs discuss security issues on UNGA sidelines

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) on Friday, amid attacks by ​Yemen's Houthis against the kingdom.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkiye's Hakan Fidan held the meeting on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they exchanged views on regional and international security issues.

In a post on X, DPM Dar said that the three top diplomats also reviewed progress towards establishing the institutional structures under the MJDA.

The Houthis have launched strikes on the Yemeni government and repeatedly fired ‌into Saudi Arabia, disrupting oil flows from the world's largest energy exporter, as part of a wider Middle East war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

The group said they had fired dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets on Thursday, while authorities in Saudi Arabia said they had intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Houthi fighters.

Saudi Arabia earlier had issued emergency alerts for areas including Makkah, Jeddah and Yanbu, the main Saudi Red ​Sea oil port.

The Saudi foreign ministry said that the three allies condemned the attacks targeting Makkah and other civilian sites, while affirming Saudi Arabia's right to defend itself.

"The ministers also discussed arrangements for ​holding an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of the three countries to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under the [Makkah] Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack against any one of the ​parties constitutes an attack against all parties," according to a statement issued by the Saudi foreign ministry.

The meeting reviewed the progress achieved regarding the establishment of the General Secretariat, the committees, and the working groups emerging from the agreement, alongside the preparations for commencing its operations, it said.

Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara also reaffirmed their resolve to continue working towards achieving sustainable peace and stability in the region, supporting efforts aimed at de-escalation, and advancing towards reaching peaceful solutions to the ongoing crisis, the Saudi ministry added.

Meanwhile, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan called on Saudi and allied forces to maintain unity while confronting Houthi attacks.

He advised personnel to exercise patience, steadfastness and perseverance in carrying out their mission.

Sheikh Saleh instructed Saudi troops and allied forces deployed on the front to remain united in confronting attacks by the Houthi group.

Sheikh Saleh condemned the group's actions, describing the Houthis as a threat to Saudi Arabia's peace and stability.

He also emphasised the importance of the responsibility being undertaken by the forces in defending the country and its people.

The grand mufti further urged personnel to remain steadfast while carrying out their duties.