Turkey and Pakistan have decided to send troops to Saudi Arabia in response to ongoing attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on the kingdom. The announcement was made following a meeting in Riyadh on Monday, where the three countries agreed to immediately implement a mutual defence pact.
The decision comes after Riyadh was shaken by loud explosions on Monday evening, which Saudi officials attributed to Houthi strikes. The militia, which has controlled large parts of Yemen for years, has repeatedly targeted Saudi infrastructure, including the capital’s airport.
Pakistan and Turkey confirmed they would begin deploying forces without delay to assist Saudi Arabia in defending its territory. Officials from all three nations emphasized the coordination was driven by the escalating threat posed by Houthi attacks.
While the exact size and composition of the forces have not been disclosed, the move marks a significant deepening of military cooperation between Ankara, Islamabad, and Riyadh. Both Turkey and Pakistan have previously maintained defence ties with Saudi Arabia, but this represents a new operational commitment.
The Houthi militia, aligned with Iran, has launched numerous drone and missile strikes against Saudi cities and energy facilities in recent years, contributing to regional instability. Their latest actions prompted the urgent consultation that led to the troop deployment agreement.
