Riyadh Taps Pakistan and Turkey for Help in Containing Houthi Threat

Saudi Arabia's efforts to contain the Houthi threat have led to a growing network of regional partners, including Pakistan and Turkey. The two countries are expected to meet with Saudi military chiefs under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August.

The agreement states that an attack against one party constitutes an attack against all, but Turkey's parliament has yet to ratify the pact. This comes as Houthi attacks have intensified, with the group launching dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia had issued emergency alerts for areas including Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu, its main Red Sea oil port. The Houthis' relationship with Iran remains central to calculations, with security experts debating Tehran's direct control over the movement.