The Iranian-backed Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia this week. This is being seen as the first test of the new alliance that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan entered in August. The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” was intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, according to reports in early August, when it was first announced.
Later, a meeting in Turkey sought to create formal institutions as part of the new security agreement. The three countries created a permanent secretariat that is supposed to be in Saudi Arabia. “The move gives institutional shape to an alliance built around collective deterrence and regional responsibility. A mechanism for other countries to join the group was already underway, officials said,” MBN media reported on September 3.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about the importance of the new pact when he went to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Kyrgyzstan. He spoke about “collective deterrence.”
Now there are questions about whether Pakistan or Turkey will respond to the Houthi attacks. Both Pakistan and Turkey have been wary of any conflict with Iran. Saudi Arabia has in the past been very critical of Iran. Saudi Arabia also fought the Iran-backed Houthis since 2015. Riyadh appears now to hope that Yemen government troops can push back the Houthis and make gains. The Houthis are threatening Saudi Arabia increasingly over the last months.
Turkish MFA condemns attack in the strongest terms
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did condemn the Houthi attack. The statement on September 8 said that Ankara condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia. Turkey said it reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia. “These attacks undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing the conflict in Yemen to an end through a lasting political solution.” Ankara called on the Houthis to cease their aggressive acts. This does not sound like Turkey joining Saudi Arabia in strikes on the group.
Turkey has military assets nearby because Ankara has been operating in Somalia. In fact, Turkey recently freed a crew of a ship from Somali pirates. “Turkish and Somali forces have freed the MV LUTUF after pirates hijacked the vessel off the coast of Somalia. The 10-day operation killed 14 alleged pirates and destroyed four boats used by the attackers,” DW reported in late August.
Pakistani PM condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “I condemn in the strongest terms, the cowardly attack by Houthis targeting civilian and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which have left many people injured.” He added that “Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.” He also noted that “such dastardly attacks threaten innocent lives as well as regional peace and security. We reaffirm our steadfast support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured.”
Turkey Today reported that “Pakistan is likely to carry out airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen at Saudi Arabia’s request, according to Pakistani sources. A source noted that the attacks may take place soon and will be made public shortly afterward.” The report noted that “one of the military priorities for the Pakistani attacks would be to clear the Houthis from Saadah along with other regions, according to one Pakistani source. However, a final decision on attacking Yemen’s Houthis has not been made.”
If the alliance is able to come together in more than just words on the Houthis this will show that the regional pact has teeth. This is something that other countries, such as India, Israel and Greece may be watching. This is because the pact has regional implications. The countries may want to expand the pact. However, if it is not able to deter the Houthis then the speeches about deterrence may have been empty.
