By The South Asia Times

NEW YORK - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are preparing for an urgent meeting of their military chiefs as Riyadh faces a new wave of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group, putting the three-way Makkah Joint Defence Agreement under pressure to demonstrate how its mutual-defence commitments will work in practice.

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the issue during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The ministers reviewed progress in establishing the institutional mechanisms of the defence agreement and discussed regional and international security developments, according to Saudi and Pakistani officials.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Aug. 7, provides that an attack against one member is to be treated as an attack against all three. The countries began setting up the agreement's institutional structure at their first committee meeting in Istanbul on Aug. 31.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the three foreign ministers discussed arrangements for an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff to examine ways to support Saudi Arabia under the defence agreement.

The meeting is expected to bring together the military leaderships of the three countries to discuss the security situation and possible mechanisms for cooperation. The Saudi statement did not specify a date or outline what form any military support would take.

Türkiye's Chief of General Staff, Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for consultations with his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts as part of the agreement, according to Turkish officials.

The ministers also reviewed preparations for the agreement's general secretariat, committees and working groups to begin operations. Pakistan has been selected to head the secretariat in Riyadh, with retired Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood appointed as its first secretary general.

- Houthi terrorist attacks drive new security concerns

The diplomatic and military consultations come after a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi terrorists against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward the kingdom on Thursday. Saudi Arabia had also issued warnings covering several areas, including Makkah, before authorities later reported that the immediate threat had passed.

The three ministers condemned attacks targeting Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and affirmed Riyadh's right to take measures it considers necessary for self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The latest consultations are the most significant test yet for the Makkah agreement, which was established only weeks ago.

Türkiye has already indicated that it is prepared to help Saudi Arabia meet military and technical requirements under the pact. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan previously said Ankara would provide support in line with the agreement if required.

Pakistan has also repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia's security. Pakistan's military spokesman said last week that Islamabad's commitment to the kingdom's security was unconditional, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would stand with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty and security.

At the same time, the three countries' foreign ministers emphasized that their cooperation should be accompanied by efforts toward de-escalation, regional stability and peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts. They also stressed international law, respect for sovereignty and the security and freedom of maritime navigation.

The planned chiefs-of-staff meeting could therefore become an important step in determining how the Makkah agreement's collective-defence provisions are translated into practical military coordination as tensions continue to rise across the region.