Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a new joint defence agreement as escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Yemen’s Houthi movement raises security concerns across the Middle East.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in Saudi Arabia on Friday, commits the three countries to stronger collective security and deterrence. Pakistan said an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all.

According to AFP, the agreement reflects Riyadh’s growing effort to diversify its security partnerships as concerns rise over Washington’s reliability amid the wider regional conflict.

Saudi officials stressed that the pact is not intended to create a military axis, sectarian bloc or arms race, and said it does not target any particular country. Turkey also said the agreement does not conflict with its commitments to NATO.

The deal comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed threats from Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The group has recently targeted Saudi territory and threatened maritime traffic, adding pressure to already disrupted shipping routes through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia has also been strengthening ties with Turkey and Pakistan, while both countries have sought diplomatic efforts to contain the wider regional conflict.

Analysts say the agreement could give Riyadh additional security options beyond its traditional reliance on the United States, while giving Turkey and Pakistan greater strategic influence in the Gulf.

The pact follows a Saudi-Pakistani mutual defence agreement announced in 2025 and comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen, where Houthi attacks this week reportedly killed dozens of government troops.

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