Middle East Alliance Forms Mutual Defense Pact Amid Ongoing Tensions

Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have formed a mutual defense agreement, solidifying their collective deterrence against any act of aggression. The deal was signed during a meeting in Saudi Arabia between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The agreement stipulates that an armed attack on either of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against them all. This comes at a time when Saudi Arabia has been looking to diversify its defense partnerships due to critical infrastructure and oil facilities being targeted in the war with Iran.

In related news, Houthi rebels have stepped up attacks on Saudi-linked targets, including strikes on Marib province in eastern Yemen and the Najran region in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The attacks have caused casualties and damage, with 11 civilians wounded in Najran, according to the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.