Mecca Joint Defense Agreement

Saudi coalition says it intercepts Houthi missiles, drones targeting Khamis Mushait, Riyadh

Hours before the Houthi attack, the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia and defense allies Pakistan ​and Turkey reviewed threats facing Saudi Arabia ​at a meeting in the Saudi capital.

|ByREUTERS
Houthi activists stand on a platform against a banner depicting Houthi missiles, at an anti-Saudi rally amid an escalation with the kingdom, in Sanaa, Yemen, July 31, 2026.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and other officials pose before the first committee meeting for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, in Istanbul, Turkey, August 31, 2026.

Pakistani, Saudi, Turkish chiefs discuss closer military ties

The meeting follows a Washington Post report earlier on Friday that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing a nuclear weapons program, according to US intelligence assessments.

|ByREUTERS
Iran-aligned Houthi fighters move next to a destroyed vehicle following what the source described as an attack on Saudi-backed forces in the location given by the source as al Jawf governorate, Yemen, in this screengrab taken from a video released by Houthi Military Media on September 15, 2026.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan to hold urgent chiefs-of-staff meeting after Houthi attacks

The Houthis have launched strikes on the Saudi-backed government in Yemen and repeatedly fired into Saudi Arabia, disrupting oil flows from the world's largest energy exporter.

|ByREUTERS
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2026.

Katz attacks 'paper sultan' Erdogan over UNGA speech, urges him to stop 'messing with Israel'

The defense minister accused Erdogan of financing and embracing Hamas, and claimed that he dreams of "restoring the Ottoman Empire" in a post on X/Twitter.

|ByTZVI JASPER

Saudi Arabia's new agreement with Turkey, Pakistan puts stability on dangerous ground - editorial

Riyadh must decide whether its new alliances will strengthen regional stability or give greater influence to governments seeking to turn Israel into the common enemy.

AUGUST 10, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by their ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Iran releases video claiming Khamenei unharmed, shares new demands for re-opening Strait of Hormuz

Netanyahu reportedly agrees to Trump's Gaza plan • Houthis continue strikes in Yemen • Iran says 'no reason' to fear new Mecca defense pact

AUGUST 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli soldiers carry out a foot patrol through the market, in the Old City of Nablus, in the West Bank on August 9, 2026.

India-Israel ties will bloom amid Middle East's new Mecca Pact - analysis

Ties with Greece and Cyprus are also likely to benefit from the agreement, with Athens and Nicosia as concerned about an expanded Turkish footprint in the eastern Mediterranean as Jerusalem is.

AUGUST 9, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jerusalem, February 26, 2026.

Turkey, Saudi, Pakistan defense pact complicates Israel normalization hopes, expert tells 'Post'

Saudi Arabia, the hardest-hit of all three countries, likely joined the pact so it would have more leverage and options as trust in Washington is waning in the region, Guzansky said.

AUGUST 9, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.