Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan deploy forces under defense pact

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to immediately implement their collective-defense commitments and prepare for the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia following an emergency meeting of their Mecca Defense Alliance in Riyadh, according to Anadolu Agency.

Read also: Pakistan extends nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia in new defense pact.

The alliance was activated amid repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, including reported strikes affecting Mecca, Medina and several other cities, as well as vessels in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, TASS noted.

The decision comes amid a broader escalation in Yemen, where Saudi-backed government forces have launched an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, The Associated Press reported. The Houthis have claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and military sites.