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Amid the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, Saudi Arabia has launched fresh airstrikes on the targets of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The military action comes in response to the Houthis' blockade of pro-Saudi merchant ships in the Red Sea, missile-drone attacks on Saudi targets and attempts to target the Jazan refinery. After this aggressive step by Saudi Arabia, now the eyes of international security experts are fixed on the historic 'Mecca Joint Defense Agreement' signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on 7 August 2026. Defense analysts believe that the latest developments in Yemen are going to prove to be the first real test of the credibility and limitations of this trilateral military alliance. What is 'Maize Pact'? This trilateral agreement, signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, promises collective security like NATO's Article 5. This trilateral agreement is designed on the lines of NATO: Principle of Collective Defence: The main clause of the agreement stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three member countries will be considered an attack on all three countries. Balance of roles: Under this agreement, Saudi Arabia has immense financial resources, Turkey has modern deep-tech defense industry (like Bayraktar drones and air defence), while Pakistan has huge military manpower (foot soldiers) and strategic experience. Objective: To create an independent security network of the three major powers of the Islamic world by reducing excessive dependence on the traditional security umbrella of the US. Will Mecca Pact be active now? Technical and strategic issues: After Saudi Arabia's airstrike against the Houthis and attacks on Saudi cities and oil installations by the Houthis in return, the question is arising whether Pakistan and Turkey will have to send their armies to help Saudi Arabia? According to defense experts, its immediate 'full-scale' activation is not so straightforward: Offensive versus defensive actions: The Mecca Pact is essentially a 'defensive' alliance. The pre-emptive airstrike carried out by Saudi Arabia inside Yemen cannot technically be considered a direct 'foreign attack on Saudi Arabia'. The Houthis are non-state actors: traditionally treaties such as NATO apply against attacks by sovereign nations. The Houthi rebels are a non-state militia. In such a situation, Turkey and Pakistan can avoid jumping into direct war by considering it as a local border conflict between Saudi-Yemen. Saudi needs 'defense shield', not war: Saudi Arabia does not need Pakistan or Turkey to land ground troops in Yemen, but it needs Turkey's advanced anti-drone technology, radar, missile interceptors and technical help of Pakistani air defense operators to protect its oil refineries, airports and ports. What is the biggest challenge facing Pakistan? Pakistan has joined this trilateral agreement, but this latest turn of the Yemen war has put Islamabad in a dire diplomatic and domestic dilemma: 900 km border and direct conflict with Iran: the Houthis receive open military and financial support from Iran. If Pakistan directly attacks the Houthis in support of Saudi Arabia or sends troops to the Yemen border, it will greatly strain relations with its neighbor Iran. There is already a security crisis between the two countries on the Balochistan border. 2015 Parliament resolution: In 2015, when Saudi Arabia launched 'Operation Decisive Storm' in Yemen, Pakistan's Parliament unanimously passed a resolution and decided to remain neutral in the Yemen war and not send its army. If the current government pushes the army into the swamp of Yemen, huge internal and political opposition will start in Pakistan. Economic compulsion: Pakistan is completely dependent on Saudi Riyal for its weak economy, foreign exchange reserves and IMF bailout. Rejecting any direct demands from Riyadh could be financially suicidal for Islamabad. What is the dilemma facing Turkey? The challenges facing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are also no less: NATO vs. Mecca Pact Paradox: Turkey is already an active and powerful member country of NATO. If Turkey becomes deeply entangled in a conflict in the Middle East that does not have US approval, its relations with Washington and Western allies could become more complicated. Regional Leadership and Mediator Role: Ankara has always wanted to establish itself as a mediator and independent power in the Muslim world. An open war by one side in Yemen could weaken Turkey's independent diplomacy in the Gulf and the Arab world. Strategy to be limited to technical supplies: Instead of directly participating in the war, Turkey will try to complete the formalities of the pact by providing its state-of-the-art anti-drone systems, electronic warfare suits and Bayraktar drone technology to Saudi Arabia. What will be the middle path? At present, the possibility of a full-scale war declaration under the 'Makkah Pact' is very less. Instead, the three countries could adopt a middle path: Intelligence and logistics sharing: Turkey and Pakistan will share satellite data, radar tracking and intelligence inputs for Saudi Arabia to monitor the Red Sea and the Yemen border. Deploying Air Defense: Pakistan can deploy its Air Force and air defense technical advisors to protect important energy plants and ports of Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic pressure: The three countries can together put diplomatic pressure on Iran to prevent the Houthis from carrying out direct attacks on Saudi oil facilities and ships in the Red Sea. Country Role in Mecca Pact Current Challenge/Stance Saudi Arabia Financial sources, key leadership and Yemen Border security Defense from Houthi attacks on oil infrastructure and maritime trade Pakistan Army and Air Force Manpower, Technical Operators Fear of hostility from Iran, domestic opposition and economic compulsions Turkey Deep-tech defense industry, advanced drone and missile defense Balance with NATO and avoidance of direct entanglement in Middle East war