Mecca Alliance Announces Immediate Activation of Joint Defense
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said on Monday evening: “The emergency meeting of the Political and Defense Strategic Committee of the Mecca Defense Alliance reaffirms the solidarity and unity of our nations in confronting the heinous attacks that targeted the Kingdom and the Holy Sites, and in activating collective deterrence against these attacks and against all those behind them, within the framework of the Mecca Defense Alliance.”
A joint statement on the emergency meeting noted that “in the context of the institutional development of the Mecca Defense Alliance, the Committee decided to appoint Retired Lieutenant General Noman Mahmood of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as the first Secretary-General for a term of three years. The participating states welcomed him, wishing him success and achievement in carrying out his duties, and expressing confidence in his contribution to the development of the Alliance and the realization of its objectives.”
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Turkish Republic commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as the professional performance and high competence they demonstrated in confronting the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom, and in safeguarding its security and territorial integrity.
The Committee reviewed the results of the political and military consultations that preceded the meeting, and approved the recommendations submitted to it, emphasizing that the Mecca Defense Alliance embodies a firm commitment to collective defense and a unified stance in confronting threats.
The Committee decided to immediately move to the practical implementation of collective defense commitments, and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed-upon forces and military capabilities and expedite their deployment in the Kingdom, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the participating states, thereby enhancing readiness, military integration, and collective capacity to confront and counter threats.
The participating states affirmed that the security of each participating state is an integral part of the collective security of the three states, and that translating the Mecca Agreement on Collective Defense into practical measures demonstrates credibility in the commitment to collective defense, enhances the effectiveness of deterrence, and underscores the unity of the three states and their resolve to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
In a separate statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdom’s inherent right to defend its territory, resources, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and to take all necessary measures to protect its security in accordance with international law.
The statement expressed “Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the continued targeting by the terrorist Houthi militia of civilians and civilian and economic assets in the Kingdom, and its blatant and repeated attacks against the holiest places on earth (Mecca and Medina), as well as against the capital Riyadh and Saudi cities (Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran, Taif, and Yanbu), in addition to targeting Saudi ships in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.”
