Turkiye and Pakistan are sending their top military officials to Riyadh for urgent discussions on implementing their mutual defense agreement, following a request from Saudi Arabia amidst escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, chief of general staff for Turkiye, is confirmed to be travelling to the Saudi capital, while Pakistan's chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is also expected to arrive soon.

The urgent meeting follows recent Houthi missile and drone assaults on Saudi Arabia, including claimed strikes on Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities. Saudi authorities reported intercepting ballistic missiles and issued emergency alerts for several cities, including Mecca. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, stipulates that an attack on any of the three signatory nations is considered an attack on all.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced the planned chiefs of staff meeting after Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Pakistani and Turkish counterparts in New York on September 24. The discussions focused on implementing the defense pact and exploring support for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi statement condemned attacks targeting Mecca and civilian infrastructure, affirming the kingdom's right to self-defense.

Pakistan's account of the New York meeting presented a more measured perspective. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated that progress towards establishing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was reviewed under its framework. Both Pakistan and Turkiye have expressed caution regarding the extent of their potential involvement in the conflict, despite the mutual defense pact.

The escalating tensions in the region have prompted Saudi Arabia to seek a more concrete commitment from its defense partners. The Houthi movement, which controls significant parts of Yemen, has intensified its cross-border attacks in response to the ongoing Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. These attacks have raised concerns about regional stability and the security of vital economic and religious sites.

Analysts suggest that the upcoming meetings could lead to increased military cooperation between the three nations. This could involve intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, or even a more direct role in defending Saudi territory. However, the final decisions will likely depend on the geopolitical considerations and domestic political landscapes of both Pakistan and Turkiye.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement represents a significant step towards a more integrated security architecture in the Middle East and South Asia. Its effectiveness, however, will be tested by the current crisis and the willingness of all parties to uphold their commitments.

Further details on the specific outcomes of the Riyadh meeting are yet to be disclosed. Both Pakistan and Turkiye are expected to carefully weigh their options, balancing their regional security interests with their broader foreign policy objectives.