Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Friday that Riyadh will host an emergency meeting of the Strategic Defense Committee, which was established under the Makkah Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The meeting, set to take place next week, will focus on Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and explore ways to engage with them politically instead of through military action.
The Makkah Agreement was signed in August by the three countries, prior to the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes a clause similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which states that an attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all of them. Since then, the countries have held meetings to discuss the agreement's mechanisms and assess Saudi Arabia's needs.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have been a major concern for the region. The attacks have been supported by Iran, and have led to increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The upcoming meeting in Riyadh will aim to find a political solution to the conflict, rather than resorting to military action.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus stated on Friday that the Makkah Agreement can be expanded to include Iran and the broader Islamic world. He mentioned that the agreement is expected to be put up for ratification starting next month. This development could potentially lead to a more comprehensive agreement that involves more countries in the region.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has been ongoing for several years, with the Houthis launching frequent attacks on Saudi territory. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with airstrikes and other military actions, resulting in significant humanitarian suffering in Yemen. A political solution to the conflict is seen as essential to bringing an end to the violence.
Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have been working together to address the security challenges in the region. The Makkah Agreement is seen as a significant step towards enhancing cooperation and coordination between the three countries. The upcoming meeting in Riyadh will aim to build on this cooperation and find a way to engage with the Houthis politically.
The meeting in Riyadh is expected to be an important step towards finding a political solution to the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The participation of Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in the meeting underscores the region's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The outcome of the meeting is expected to have significant implications for the region's security and stability.
Key points
- The meeting will focus on Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and explore ways to engage with them politically instead of through military action.
