The Mecca defence pact was signed on August 7
The move will be carried out under “approved arrangements” and in accordance with the national laws of the three countries. The committee overseeing the defence pact decided to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom, according to the joint statement. “The committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom … thereby enhancing readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity to confront and counter threats,” the statement said. Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman said the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the alliance had “agreed to activate collective deterrence measures” in response to recent attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group.
The decision was announced in a joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Monday.
The offensive was launched under air cover from the Saudi-led coalition.
Forces allied with Yemen’s internationally recognised government recaptured the strategic town of Dhubab, just north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, along with the towns of Bab and Hadeid, according to news agency AP. Turki al-Malki said 100 fighter jets were supporting government forces and that the coalition had secured “air protection” of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. The Saudi-backed government said it was mobilising troops across areas under its control, while Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi said the operation was aimed at “recovering the remaining territories” controlled by the Houthis. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Saudi Arabia and the United States have a defence agreement and that the Saudi-backed government had a right to defend itself.
Saudi coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. The offensive followed the Houthis’ capture of the town of Turbah on Sunday.