Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey agree to rapid deployment of forces in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey agreed on Monday to immediately implement their collective defence commitments and ensure the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

Emergency defence meeting

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Mecca Defence Alliance in Riyadh. Implementation would follow “approved arrangements” and the national laws of the three countries, the statement said.

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The Saudi defence minister said on social media that the meeting “reaffirmed the solidarity and unity of our countries in confronting the heinous attacks against the Kingdom and the holy sites.”

Reported attack in Medina

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Thursday that the Iran-aligned group had attacked a power distribution station in the Saudi city of Medina.

The station supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Joint defence agreement

The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. Under the agreement, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

The agreement announced at the time provided no specifics on each country’s military commitments or defence obligations.