Saudi Arabia Faces Security Challenges as Houthi Attacks Continue
· World · Indian Express, NDTV, Reuters
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, has failed to provide the expected security shield against ongoing Houthi attacks in Yemen. While the pact invokes collective self-defence principles under Article 51 of the UN Charter, it lacks the institutional structure and command arrangements characteristic of NATO. Saudi Arabia originally intervened in the Yemeni civil war in March 2015 to support the internationally recognised government against the Iran-backed Houthi militia. Following a limited response from the US, Riyadh has increasingly sought security cooperation from European nations. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with the International Organisation for Migration reporting over 104,796 displaced people in Yemen.
Why it matters
The failure of the trilateral pact to deter Houthi strikes leaves Saudi Arabia vulnerable and forces a shift in its regional security strategy toward Europe. This ongoing instability continues to fuel a major humanitarian crisis in Yemen, impacting regional maritime security and stability.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.