Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was expected to join Saudi Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili and Turkish Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu for the consultations.
According to a source, an aircraft carrying the Pakistani delegation departed from Nur Khan Airbase and arrived in Riyadh shortly after 2pm on Friday.
Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), had not issued an immediate statement on the meeting.
Turkiye’s Defence Ministry, however, confirmed that General Bayraktaroğlu would travel to Saudi Arabia to participate in the military chiefs’ meeting under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
The gathering marked the first consultation among the three military commanders since the agreement faced an immediate security challenge following attacks on Saudi territory.
Foreign Ministers Agree to Accelerate Defence Coordination
The decision to convene the military chiefs emerged from discussions among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in New York.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the ministers reviewed progress on establishing the institutional framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, including its General Secretariat, committees and working groups.
They also examined preparations for making these bodies operational.
The ministers agreed that an urgent meeting of the three countries’ military chiefs was necessary to assess possible assistance to Saudi Arabia.
The agreement provides that an attack against one participating country will be treated as an attack against all three.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a similar account of the New York discussions, confirming that preparations for an emergency military consultation had been considered.
Turkiye’s Defence Ministry also acknowledged the decision to examine measures for supporting the kingdom.
Makkah Defence Agreement Moves Towards Operational Phase
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7.
The alliance subsequently held its first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on August 31.
During that meeting, the three countries agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Riyadh and decided that Pakistan would nominate the alliance’s first secretary general for a three-year term.
Pakistan appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood to the position on Wednesday, advancing the process of establishing the agreement’s administrative and institutional structure.
The latest consultations indicate that the three governments are now examining how the agreement could operate in response to an immediate security threat.
However, any decision concerning military deployments or other forms of assistance would depend on Saudi Arabia’s requirements and the agreement reached among the participating countries.
Missile and Drone Attacks Heighten Saudi Security Concerns
The Riyadh meeting took place amid an increase in missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement.
Recent attacks have involved areas including Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu, while Saudi authorities have reported intercepting ballistic missiles.
The escalation has also affected civilian and economic facilities, raising concerns about the security of important infrastructure.
Particular attention has followed claims that missiles were directed towards the vicinity of Makkah.
The attacks have prompted Saudi Arabia to consult its defence partners as it assesses the threat and considers possible responses.
Commanders Expected to Assess Military Assistance Options
The three military chiefs were expected to review the evolving security situation and examine the nature and scale of Ansar Allah’s missile and drone capabilities.
Their discussions were also expected to address the vulnerability of Saudi territory and critical infrastructure, alongside the assistance Riyadh might require from Pakistan and Turkiye.
Turkiye has already indicated its willingness to help address Saudi military requirements.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said last week that Ankara was prepared to provide assistance, particularly in technical military matters.
Pakistan has likewise reiterated its commitment to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The Riyadh consultations represent a step towards determining how the three countries may coordinate their response under the pact, although the specific measures discussed and any resulting commitments have not yet been publicly disclosed.
