Is the Saudi defense pact misunderstood amid Houthi attacks? – analysis

Recent Houthi attacks in Yemen have led some commentators to question the efficacy of a new defensive alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, often referred to as the Mecca Pact. Media outlets like NDTV and Ynet suggested the attacks exposed the pact's limitations, with a Turkish official noting the alliance "needs time to become operational." However, the article argues this perspective may misinterpret the alliance's nature. The Mecca Pact is a defensive agreement, and Saudi Arabia's intervention in Yemen began in 2015, predating the pact's signing. There was no indication that the agreement would compel Turkey or Pakistan to send troops or air defenses to Yemen. Comparing it to NATO, the article highlights that even established defensive alliances do not automatically engage in all conflicts involving a member, especially those considered interventions rather than direct attacks on the homeland. The pact appears to be more about initiating a process of cooperation rather than immediate military deployment to partners' conflicts.