Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Tied by key defence pact, Turkey, Pak say no request from Saudi against Houthis | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times

**Saudi Arabia’s Live Update: Defense Pact Ties, Houthi Attacks and Regional Tensions**

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a live update on Friday after the kingdom condemned a “cowardly terrorist attack” by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that targeted the holy city of Mecca. The Houthi‑launched drone strike triggered the first ever red‑alert at Islam’s most sacred site, sparking panic among pilgrims and prompting Saudi officials to label the incident a breach of international law. In a separate statement, the Saudi government reiterated its resolve to protect the Kingdom’s religious and civilian infrastructure while warning the Houthis that any further aggression would be met with decisive retaliation.

Amid the heightened security concerns, Saudi Arabia’s strategic alliances were highlighted in a new defence agreement that links the kingdom with Turkey and Pakistan. The trilateral pact, signed earlier this month, aims to deepen military cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint training exercises among the three states. Both Ankara and Islamabad, however, publicly denied receiving a direct request from Riyadh to launch offensive operations against the Houthis. Turkish and Pakistani defence officials emphasized that while the partnership strengthens regional security, any combat action would be decided solely by Saudi authorities in line with international law and national interests.

The developments come as the Houthis consolidate gains in the evolving theatre of the Yemen conflict, expanding their reach beyond the usual frontlines and threatening key Saudi religious sites. Analysts note that the convergence of the Saudi‑Turkey‑Pakistan defence pact and the Houthi attacks underscores a broader geopolitical shift, with the United States and Iran’s proxy dynamics increasingly influencing the Arabian Peninsula. While Saudi Arabia condemns the attacks and bolsters its defence ties, the absence of a formal request for joint action leaves the new alliance’s operational role in the Yemen war ambiguous, setting the stage for further diplomatic maneuvering in the weeks ahead.