World

Saudi Arabia Downs Houthi Drone Near Mecca, Raising Questions Over New Defence Pact With Pakistan

By Bhanu Pratap

Saudi Arabia's air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen's Houthi movement south of Mecca on Tuesday, September 15, before it could enter the restricted airspace over the holy city, bringing the Yemen conflict close to one of Islam's most sacred sites. Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims represented a "red line" and warned the coalition would take necessary deterrent action against the Houthis. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca in a post on social media platform X, calling Saudi Arabia's claim false.

The incident occurred just over a month after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca on August 7, under which an armed attack on any one signatory would be treated as an attack on all three. The agreement's language is broad, drawing comparisons to NATO's Article 5 clause, but it does not publicly outline an automatic military response or specify what assistance must look like in every scenario. Reuters had previously noted that the obligations under the pact remain vague.

The latest escalation places Pakistan in a difficult position, as the Houthis have expanded their attacks on Saudi territory, including cities and energy infrastructure, while the broader Yemen conflict edges closer to the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier suggested, as quoted by Geo News, that the pact could be activated if Saudi Arabia faced "unprovoked aggression" or if the Yemen conflict spilled into the kingdom. However, Islamabad subsequently moved to temper expectations. On September 10, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said there was no military response currently under discussion regarding the Houthi attacks, while adding that Pakistan would act "when the time comes" under the agreement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later held a call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemning Houthi strikes on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, reaffirming Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and pledging continued efforts to ease regional tensions.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain extensive defence ties beyond the new trilateral pact. Under a separate bilateral framework, the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025, Saudi authorities confirmed in April that Pakistani troops, along with Pakistan Air Force fighter and support aircraft, had arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base amid rising regional tensions.

The Houthis represent a complex adversary beyond a conventional state force. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Iran has provided the group with weapons, training and intelligence support, enabling it to project power into the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The council describes the strait as a critical chokepoint for global energy flows, noting that Iranian backing has strengthened Houthi capabilities in the region. Iran previously demonstrated similar geostrategic leverage during its conflict with Israel by restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an energy crisis.

Recent Houthi advances along Yemen's Red Sea coast have heightened concerns over the security of this maritime chokepoint, compounding the economic threat posed by attacks on Saudi infrastructure. Reports have also emerged suggesting Saudi Arabia is pursuing security cooperation beyond the Makkah pact. The Jerusalem Post, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Saudi Arabia and Israel have held talks, mediated by US Central Command, on intelligence-sharing related to the Houthi threat, though neither country has confirmed such an arrangement publicly. Separate reports indicate Riyadh has also sought British assistance in addressing threats to Bab al-Mandab and its energy infrastructure.

These developments suggest Saudi Arabia is building a broader security network rather than relying solely on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, placing renewed scrutiny on Pakistan's cautious approach to the pact following the drone incident near Mecca.