According to Reuters reporting on Oct 7-8, Ankara is sending mainly defensive and technical support — including military equipment, intelligence sharing, weapons systems, drone operators, and air defense expertise to help intercept Houthi missiles and drones.
*What is the Mecca Pact?*
Signed on August 7, 2026 by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Mecca, the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is a NATO Article 5-style pact: *an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.*
It was designed as a defensive alliance for the Muslim world's most capable militaries. Turkey brings NATO's second-largest army and a massive drone industry, Pakistan brings nuclear deterrence and manpower, and Saudi Arabia brings finance and energy infrastructure.
*What just happened:*
On Oct 5, the three countries held an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh. Foreign ministers Hakan Fidan (Turkey), Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi), and Ishaq Dar (Pakistan) attended with defense chiefs.
In a joint statement, they said they decided to "move immediately to the practical implementation of collective defence commitments and ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia."
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the alliance had agreed to "activate collective deterrence measures" against the "heinous attacks against the Kingdom and the holy sites" after Houthis targeted Medina's power station, Mecca, Jeddah, and Aramco facilities.
*Turkey's role — defensive for now:*
A Turkish official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Turkish support is currently bilateral because Turkey's parliament has not yet officially ratified the Mecca pact. Support will increase after ratification.
For now, Turkey says it will not deploy combat troops into Yemen. Support includes:
- Air defence systems and anti-drone systems
- Intelligence and targeting assistance
- Turkish drones already bought by Saudi before the war, now deployed over Yemen
- Technical operators to fine-tune defensive measures
Pakistan is taking a bigger role. Reuters reports Pakistan has deployed 30,000-40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia for border defense and interception, sent four cargo planes with air defence, light artillery and drones to Aden, and has advisers on the ground. The US is also providing intel and military advisers.
The Mecca alliance also appointed its first Secretary-General: Pakistan's retired Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood, with a permanent secretariat in Riyadh.
Yemen is now the first major test for this new Middle East alliance.