U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Turkey and Pakistan’s decision to send troops and military capabilities to Saudi Arabia following the activation of the Mecca Defense Alliance during an emergency meeting held in Riyadh on Monday.
Asked by reporters about Ankara and Islamabad’s plans to deploy forces to the Kingdom, Trump said: “I think they want to help Saudi Arabia, and I think that’s great.”
Mecca Defense Alliance Activated
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan announced Monday that Islamabad and Ankara would provide troops and military capabilities, with arrangements in place for their rapid deployment to Saudi Arabia as part of their commitments under the Mecca Defense Alliance.
The decision came after an emergency meeting of the alliance’s Political and Defense Strategic Committee in Riyadh, according to a joint statement published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on X.
This marks the first activation of the alliance since the agreement was signed on August 7. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the committee had agreed to activate collective deterrence measures in response to attacks against the Kingdom and those responsible for them.
Strengthening Military Readiness
The joint statement said the deployment of forces would take place in accordance with established arrangements and the national laws of the participating countries.
The move is intended to strengthen military readiness, improve operational integration, and enhance the alliance’s collective ability to respond to security threats.
The three countries also strongly condemned attempts to target Mecca and Medina, as well as continuing attacks against civilian and economic targets across Saudi Arabia.
Regarding the role of the participating forces, Pakistan’s defense minister said Turkey and Pakistan have “a presence in the theater of operations,” while stressing that Saudi forces alone are currently taking part in combat operations.
The committee also appointed retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the first secretary-general of the Mecca Alliance for a three-year term, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Military Developments in Yemen
The announcement came amid escalating military developments in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition said it had supported an offensive by Yemeni government forces by providing air support involving around 100 fighter jets.
Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in Rabigh.
Trump previously told reporters outside the White House that the U.S. military campaign against the Houthis was “going very well.”
U.S. Representative Joe Wilson described the Mecca Alliance as a potential “NATO of the Middle East,” while thanking Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia for activating the alliance.
