THE Makkah Defence Accord has established its credibility and relevance as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in the Kingdom to bolster its defence in the face of continued aggression by Houthis. The three countries held an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Defence Alliance to address the security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia. The committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the parties, thereby enhancing readiness, military integration and the collective capacity to confront and counter threats.
It is generally believed that bilateral and multilateral agreements take years to implement their core objectives but credit must be given to the leadership of Pakistan and Turkiye for a fast track implementation process in view of the ground situation. The Makkah defence pact, signed on August 7 (less than two months back), aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. This is a monumental achievement in the backdrop of apprehensions raised by different circles that the alliance might not be in a position to translate its commitment vis-à-vis collective defence because of national constraints and political and strategic implications. However, the alliance successfully qualified the first but immediate test thrown by the Houthi war against Saudi Arabia, sending a clear message to all concerned. The sagacious decision improves prospects for joining of the alliance by more regional countries as it has a determination to demonstrate its muscles in promoting defence of a member at a crucial juncture despite operational limitations imposed by the paucity of time. The SPDC reviewed the outcomes of the political and military consultations preceding the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it, affirming that the Makkah pact embodied a firm commitment to collective defence and a unified position in confronting threats. The three countries affirmed that the security of each member of the alliance was an “integral part of the collective security of the three countries and that translating the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence into practical measures demonstrates the credibility of the commitment to collective defence, strengthens the effectiveness of deterrence and reaffirms the unity and determination of our three countries to defend their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who had been categorical in his earlier statements to go to any extent to support Saudi Arabia, said whatever assistance Saudis require is being provided but right now Pakistan and Turkish armies are playing a supportive role. There are expectations that Pakistani and Turkish input will make a visible difference in the ongoing war between Saudi Arabia and Houthis. Houthis made swift advances in several areas during September but latest reports indicate a reversal of these gains. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a major counter offensive on Monday, driving the rebel Houthi fighters from key positions around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and advancing towards Mocha. The forces had already seized key positions, including an airstrip in Dhubab district at the mouth of the strait, a vital oil route whose seizure by the Houthis last month sent shockwaves through energy markets. The government said it had launched attacks on several fronts, while Yemen’s military spokesman said government forces carried out more than 1,000 strikes against Houthi artillery and rocket-launcher positions, defensive fortifications, supply lines and logistics assets. No operational details, for understandable reasons, were provided but the impact of the support by Pakistan and Turkiye will, hopefully, become visible in coming weeks.
